synflux | [ closed ] simmer for seven days

It definitely wasn't a good time...

[ But she frowns, shaking her head carefully. ]

Walking me back is fine-- [ And, honestly, she's already taking his arm for support because she is very much not terribly okay right now. ]

But if you had it too, you're not in any position to be carrying anybody. Not even someone's who's as light as me.

[ okay, March. ]

[ Kaito smiles, though worry continues to thrum in his gaze. ] I'm sorry. But I have an idea, once we get to your room.

[ So he takes off at a slow pace. Well, it's definitely slow for him. His gait is a bit steadier now, but that might be him grinning and bearing it. ]

Also, let the record state that I could carry you like a plastic chair. [ Kaito glances down, winks, but thankfully (for their heart rates, not our entertainment) doesn't demonstrate. ]

...Is it too much to ask why you opted into the augmentation?

[ She takes a deep breath, some confusion rippling over her face (and definitely in her mind) over what being carried like a plastic chair would look like, but she doesn't actually want to ask? It's fine. ]

... It's not too big of a deal. I'd heard it was an option before and...

[ Her steps slow, for a few reasons. ]

Ishmael... really needed a healer and there wasn't much I could do for her. And it kind of stuck with me, that I wanted to be able to do more for everyone.

A pretty earnest reason. [ Kaito nods along as they waddle their way along the halls. ] My reasoning's basically the same. Be a little less useless when people are hurt. I have a bit of healing magic in my power set, but it's meant to bolster natural healing rather than fix things immediately.

[ Kaito looks down, watching their feet lift and step and lift and step. ] It's not enough for this harsh world, so I have to keep getting stronger.

[ He eventually turns his gaze back to March. Smiles. ]

I know we don't feel great right now, but I'm kinda glad we both went in for the upgrade at the same time. Makes for a little stronger solidarity, yeah?

[ And she smiles back, patting his arm carefully. ]

Well, you know. Misery loves company and all that? I didn't want you to have to go through this, but I've gotta say, I'm a little glad I'm not going through it alone.

So it does.

[ Kaito's smile brightens, and he tugs March in just a little closer with his arm. A very faint pulse of energy seeps into her from the point of contact. Judging by the raised brow, he noticed. ]

Whoops. I didn't realize the term "embrace" was that loose...

Oh.

[ Yeah, she felt that, drawing in a short and surprised breath. ]

... I guess this means technically we can heal each other from the worst of this?

[ Well, the pain. The rest of it is going to be... something they'll have to contend with throughout the week. ]

Technically, yes. [ Kaito brightens. ] That was my plan, by the way. I figured once we got you safely to your room, we could test out the healing powers...

And then we don't have to look for painkillers. Win-win, right?

[ Close your eyes and don't worry about the rest. It will not hurt either of you. It especially won't hurt Verg. ]

Sounds like a plan to me.

... Since between the two of us, I think if we went on a hunt for painkillers, it wouldn't go well.

[ This is not pessimistic, this is someone who has been made to be directionally-impaired, paired with a friend who is suffering from short-term memory loss. This is almost like the plot of a sitcom. ]

[ Kaito barks a laugh. Luckily, he also sees this as a not-so-terrible situation. ]

Life would be so much easier if they just put vending machines in every dorm hall, y'know?

[ Snicker, snicker.

The halls lose their yellow trim... in favor of red.

He's wandered them into Brimstone. ]

...

[ She glances up, to note the walls. ]

I think this is Brimstone.

[ Are we gonna be okay-- ]

[ ... ]

...Were we not supposed to be heading to Brimstone to see Ishmael?

[ It's been a few minutes, huh. ]

Redemption.

[ Gently. Fondly. ]

This is gonna be one hell of a week.

[ Also fondly. But with a side of doomed. Kaito gently turns them around and starts the journey anew.

At least there aren't any more hiccups before the Correct colors start to show up around them. ]

Room number?

First one.

[ And thankfully, she knows that much, so she can get the door open and get them both inside.

It is... pretty much what you would expect from March. She's added a new bedspread, one that's a soft mix of pink and purple, like the sky right after a sunset. There's little lights glowing softly on the walls, hanging from their strings. There's a growing collection of Cute Things on her desk and a photo wall that appears to consist mostly of everyone she's met here.

Welcome!! ]

[ Oooh.

Kaito takes his time after the door closes behind him to look around. Her room's Cute™. It's got Things™. He pays particular attention to the photo wall, cracking a smile as he sees faces familiar and not. ]

It looks a lot more lived in here compared to my room, heh. I like the everything.

[ He sticks his tongue out. ]

Now I kinda want to buy a physical camera...

You should! If you haven't already, you could join our photography club!

[ And then he can see two of his favorite girls even more (March automatically shoving herself in that role). ]

First dance classes, now photography...

If I'm not careful, I'll be bound by the hip to both of you.

[ A beat. He glances up, smiling. ]

Not the worst fate, I suppose.

It's a pretty great fate, if you ask me.

[ Don't ask her. ]

Um, but anyway... make yourself comfortable? I know we still need to test out this healing thing.

[ She does know it works, because Yuji had saved her a ton of time on healing a broken arm simply by holding her hand, but that's one thing and it's quite another to see how it works when these two have just barely acquired the ability. ]

If, [ he clarifies, sticking his tongue out.

...It's quickly followed by a quiet nod. Kaito shuffles his way over to March's bed, plopping down with little fanfare. ]

They said it might take a few tries to get the healing going properly... I hope you don't have any other plans for tonight.

[ A beat. Kaito offers his hand, scarred and callused and rough. ]

[ March makes a face at him in response, but settles down beside him and reaches out to grasp his hand with very little fanfare of her own. While there's hints of roughness around her fingertips, her hand isn't anywhere near as full of stories as his is. And even though she's seen his hands before, it's still weirdly fascinating now to hold it. ]

No, I don't think I'm going anywhere else tonight. Probably for the best, right?

[ Meanwhile, it's a brand new journey for Kaito. He's never paid March's hands too much attention before she has grabbed his face, even when showing her the basics of biking. He appreciates the coolness—he's always associated cold hands with comfort and familiarity. March lucked out a bit there earlier.

Maybe he'll tell her about Yukito. ]

Definitely. We'd probably be found wandering the halls, begging for painkillers... Heheh.

[ He chuckles, but his brows furrow after a few seconds of, well, inactivity. Kaito glances down at their hands. Squeezes. As soon as he starts staring, a faint green light begins to illuminate his limb, and that warm sensation from earlier starts to slink its way up March's arm. ]

Mmm... I hope it isn't always this slow.

It wasn't when Yuji did it.

[ And she squeezes his hand in return, almost musing. And there it goes, that same sensation winding into him through her palm. March exhales softly, carefully. ]

Don't worry, I wouldn't keep you here all night.

[ Kaito jolts a bit as that energy soothes its way into his system. It's a little tingly. Not uncomfortable. He squeezes just a little more firmly. ]

No, it's okay, really. [ Golds flit to meet her gaze as he smiles. ] I wouldn't mind spending more time with you.

[ —Oop. A much stronger pulse of restorative energy begins to flow in, warm and tingly. Kaito's brows lift. ]

I... see...

[ That's almost a little embarrassing. The tips of his ears brighten. ]

[ March jolts a little, equally surprised, but it's only a few minutes before understanding kicks in. Oh, so it works better with... earnestness? Affection? Is that how it goes?

But poor Kaito's ears are beginning to turn red and it's easier to start giggling now that the pain's beginning to ease. ]

Well, the feeling's mutual, but we're not doing a sleepover. [ Because Kaito is a friend and Malkuth? Likes him? Maybe?

Well, she also apparently likes Ishmael's boss, and you know, she's still trying to understand all of that, but all the same, anything that's going to lead to a clear misunderstanding isn't going to be a good idea. ]

I'll just have to borrow you for a little while, then.

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