( catch-all)

[cranekin]

WHO: Tsurumaru Kuninaga and you
WHAT: Various prompts for July
WHERE: Various
WHEN: July into August
WARNINGS: N/A for now

catch-all for the month, open to using event prompts, setting up starters, etc.
if you would like an original starter or have your own idea, hit me up yosakoi | discord: diejoubus

Comments

( closed ) for ereshkigal

[cranekin]

(Some time after they've returned to base and had some time to recover (in more ways than one), Tsurumaru will eventually make himself found around the base again. He appears the same as before. One would never think he'd been through anything at all in recent weeks. He smiles, he laughs, he teases others, and he's back to his old tricks and pranks around the base.

If there's something anyone can count on Tsurumaru to do, it it's being strong and collected. Everything is fine. He's fine. But it doesn't take him long to notice that he's yet to see a certain face so he'll eventually try to seek Ereshkigal out but not after he makes a quick stop to pick up something...)

[queenofkur]

[ Upon seeing Tsuru by the door to her quarters, Ereshkigal's eyes fill up with tears. Her dear friend, whom she hurt so much.

She'd not sent him an apology like she had with many other outsiders. Everyone who had been "kidnapped" by her, she wanted to apologize to in person. But with Tsuru, she'd been hitting a wall. He'd lost himself more than any other guardians. Why, she'd made him sleep in a cage - and even if it had been in an attempt to slow the degradation of his soul, it was still awful. ]

Tsururu...

[ She does her very very best not to crumble into tears right now. She feels like he should be angry and upset at her, maybe even hate her. But that's not how he is, even though right now? He would have every right to. ]

I-I'm sorry... For everything.

[cranekin]

(Standing in front of her, he's a completely different person than he'd been back then. He's himself once more, dressed in bright white, eyes twinkling with mischief, and a familiar, carefree smile on his face, and... a small bouquet of flowers from the shop.)

Ah...

(Even if she tries not to, it's hard to miss the tears welling up and it hurts. It's like a knife is twisting in his heart and a feeling he'd thought he'd left behind washes over him. He hates it. He hates when people cry. He hates it even more when they cry because of him. Still, he keeps his composure and he reaches out to wipe at her eyes with the edge of his sleeve,)

Are you that happy to see me? (He has to tease. He has to keep the mood light.) Let's have a seat, Erechan.

[queenofkur]

[ Flowers. Of course, he's so kind and thoughtful. Even though she hurt him so much, he still does such a sweet gesture towards her. He's the kind of friend who will stick with you no matter what. Even if it hurts him. Even if he shouldn't.

And she's a selfish goddess. Though she knows she should, she doesn't have the heart to tell him they shouldn't be friend any more. His friendship is too precious to her. ]

O-Of course I am...

[ She goes back inside and sits on the edge of her bed. ]

But I'm also sad. The horrors you went through because of me...

[cranekin]

(Sitting next to her, he offers the flowers out to her. It's nothing particularly fancy. If anything, it's probably one of the cheaper bouquets at the shop but he figured something grand and dramatic would be too much.

As he settles, he listens to her. His expression is patient, eyes soft, and eh even smiles though it's small and there's definitely a tired edge to it,)

We're both twisted spirits, aren't we?

( closed ) for vash

[cranekin]

(It may seem strange but despite its owner being back, Tsukimi still spends time with Vash. Well, maybe it isn't so strange if anyone knows Tsurumaru, they would know he would want his friends to have some comfort even during difficult times— especially during those times, even. The drone flits between Tsurumaru and Vash throughout the week and though it may not be able to speak, it may give what seems to be intelligent chirps and trills in response to any questions its companion for the day may ask.

After what feels like endless visits to the medbay and other appointments, Tsurumaru is finally free to wander. There are many things he could do with his freedom but there are some things that take priority.

Maybe that's why one day, Tsukimi zooms right towards Vash and circles energetically around him as if to get his attention. When it finally has his attention, he makes a line right for Tsurumaru who holds a hand out to catch it, )

There you are. I knew she would find you.

😭😭😭

[photosympathies]

( He's watching Tsumiki go, which means he catches sight of Tsurumaru easily enough. Instantly the tears start to well, he's on his feet in seconds, hurrying over. Because he hadn't wanted to intrude, but also -. )

You're okay!

( Relief, bright. ) I mean, I knew that. But you're out and about.

( Because he's Vash the Stampede, his hands lift as though to reach out, hovering. )

I'm really sorry I couldn't catch you, Tsurumaru. I really tried.

[cranekin]

(Vash bounds over and Tsurumaru holds his arms out wide, inviting him to come closer.)

Are you surprised?

(Is his recovery really that surprising? He thought he'd proven himself to be strong and reliable.... ah, but that isn't very fair, is it? This has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with the heart,)

Ah? Come here, Vash-kun.

(Let him hug you.)

[photosympathies]

( There's something about Tsurumaru that makes him feel safe, and so when the offer of a hug is extended Vash can't help but lean into it. Maybe he has a Luida like energy, or maybe the sword spirit is just comforting, but he finds himself breathing a little easier anyway. )

I should be the one comforting you! ( From the depths of the hug, a protest. ) Are you really okay? I'm sorry, I tried to find you after, but I couldn't. And then I wanted to keep an eye on your people for you, but everything in Iraq was so intense, and I lost track of them.

( He did try, but trying means very little. )

How are you feeling?

[cranekin]

(Arms wrap around him and he reaches up to ruffle Vash's hair with one hand. Tsukimi chirps between them, fluttering about to not get in the way,)

Mhmm, of course, I'm fine.

(Yes, there are still things he needs to work through. There are people he needs to see, things he needs to say, but those are things he can work through with time.

Brushing Vash's hair gently with his fingers,)

Don't apologize. You did everything you could. (He remembers the look on Vash's face before he fell into the Rift and though muddled from his confused state, he can still remember how Vash had tried to save him again in the Underworld,) I'm the one who should apologize... for surprising you the way I did.

( closed ) for aki

[cranekin]

(It's early in the month, not long after they've returned that Tsurumaru finally manifests himself properly and allows others to tend to his more familiar form. There are sure many visits to the medbay and plenty of questions that need to be answered now that he's able to but he doesn't seem to mind.

As usual, he seems unbothered when some of LILITH's officers question him about what happened and what he remembers. Some answers are less direct than others... in fact, one might say many of his answers are quite vague but he's always been that way. Calm, composed, polite enough, and maybe a little sharp at times, he seems to be as well as one might expect after the entire ordeal.

That is, until he returns to the privacy of his room and his shoulders seem to drop and he immediately makes a line towards Aki. Whatever he is doing, he'll lean in and press his forward against him to just......... recover from everything. )

[lifeprice]

[ It's been an adjustment.

Aki has done his best to be there for Tsurumaru and take care of him without too much pressure to perform or have demands on him, waiting for him to recover and feel better. He has no idea what the consequences of his experiences might be, but he does know how it feels to recognise yourself as a monster and try to come back from it, nightmares of guns and devils and a chainsaw through his gut.

It's not the same, but... Is it enough?

Turning his head at the sound of their door, he frowns when he sees his partner. Reaching out, he wraps one arm around him, drawing him close without pause and letting the other one go to touch the back of his head, stroking gently through the strands of short hair. He's glad he's here; glad he's alive and breathing. That's a gift. ]

Welcome home.

[cranekin]

("Welcome home," Aki says and it's a gentle, reassuring reminder that this is what they have. Despite everything they've been through, they still have a life where they can come home and welcome each other with open arms and find peace and happiness again. Instantly, his body relaxes into his touch and he lets his weight lean against him, feeling some of his fatigue wash away,)

I'm home.

(Inhaling, exhaling, breathing in his scent, listening to his heart beat, and slowly reaching to wrap his arms around him, he hums,)

Tell me about your day.

(He'd rather hear about AKi's day than think about his own right now.)

[lifeprice]

[ It's soft, and tender, the way Aki treats him - but it's not because he's breakable. This is how he has always treated him, the sweetness he has always offered, and he sees no reason to change that because of what he has been through. Doesn't his partner deserve a chance to relax and settle into himself once more? Aki thinks so.

Humming softly, he wraps his arms around Tsurumaru, hand stroking gently down his back. ]

I have a new project we might want to help with, but I'm still planning it.

[ It won't be boring, at least. ]

And I'm making curry for dinner.

[cranekin]

(A project? He has no idea what that means but he says it so mysteriously, he can't help but be interested. He shifts his face to look up at him, waiting for some sort of explanation... only for him to start talking about what's for dinner.

Wait, go back, what is he up to? Ugh, he'll find out but until then... there's dinner.)

I can help.

(He'd been helping since he'd been well enough to maintain his human form again; trying to help Aki with chores and other tasks while his arm was being repaired. He'd always tried to help out where he could, especially in the kitchen that always felt so forbidden and off limits to him but given recent events, he's been even more eager. It's like a subtle reminder that some things have changed and aren't really back to normal.)

( closed ) for denji

[cranekin]

(After their message, Tsurumaru will head over to one of the base's recreation areas and wait for Denji. When he arrives, he'll smile and wave,)

Yo, Denji-kun. You came so quickly!

[nutkick]

I'm full of speed when I'm excited about something.

[ openly admitting that he's only motivated to give it his 100% when he's promised a reward, and in this case, the ability to dance like a pro. tsurumaru appears just as he always has— calm face, carrying a smile, like nothing’s changed. but things have, and denji knows it. he feels it in the stiffness of his own shoulders, in the way he greets him with a smile that is somewhat tired around the edges. he raises a hand in a lazy half-wave and lets it fall just as easily to his side again as he approaches him. ]

How about you? Excited about the wedding, too?

[cranekin]

I've never been to a wedding before.

(It's true. He's been to plenty of funerals and even more war ceremonies but never a wedding. How surprising that he'll get to experience more in a few weeks than he ever has in a thousand years.)

So I'm excited to see how they are in this era. I've heard they're more fun.

[nutkick]

They better be fun. It's the only reason I'm going.

[ it's his first time too, so denji has high expectations. sorry, yato. he straightens up, lips curling up a bit, arms resting on each side like a soldier. ]

Please teach me well. I want to impress!

[cranekin]

I've heard they're a lot of fun.

(How earnest... he can't help but smile and Tsurumaru reaches out to pat him on the head,)

And there's usually a lot of dancing, too.

( closed ) for aki

[cranekin]

(Dressed in a white yukata to match Aki's dark one, Tsurumaru returns to his side after taking a break to run off and see some of his other friends. It's the best way to enjoy the festival when there is so much to do. Spend part of it with friends and playing games and then meet up again with each other before the night ends to enjoy an evening together.

Hooking his arm around Aki's, he leans in with a paper fan he'd been given earlier. By the looks of it, it seems that a restaurant nearby is trying to get take advantage of the crowds and bring in customers because a logo, number, and promotion for an all-you-can-drink deal is printed on it. Of course, that isn't really important. What is important is that it can keep them cool which is why Tsurumaru fans at Aki's face playfully,)

Did you have fun without me?

[lifeprice]

A little.

[ Aki's fingers drop immediately to find Tsurumaru's, to link them together briefly, to squeeze, before it drops away so they can link arms instead. It's hot, summer heat blazing down on them, his cheeks soft and red and his eyes flickering around the festival and taking it all in.

He's happy. Aki is finding the scraps of happiness here, and even if he feels discomforted by the strange distance between himself and Denji right now. He'll have to figure that out, but for now... Tsurumaru has his full attention. ]

I'm having more fun now.

[cranekin]

(Lacing their fingers together, he locks onto Aki's hand and gives it a lazy swing as they stroll through the festival,)

I had a lot of fun. (Which should't be a surprise. He's sociable and friendly and the type that thrives in festive environments. Of course he'd have fun running around, playing games, eating food, chatting with anyone willing to indulge him,) But I'm having more fun now, too.

Did you find your match?

(His soulmate for the day? It's just a game but it had been a cute idea.)

[lifeprice]

[ Seeing Tsurumaru happy and content like this... It makes him feel warm and bubbly. ]

Are you?

[ He grins, hair sticking to his face, cheeks warm... He feels his youth, now, far less than the older man he feels, sometimes. ]

In the game? No, I haven't played it yet.

[cranekin]

It took me all day. (Took. Past tense.) And then I found Vash-kun and we could win.

(Leaning in, tugging Aki closer, their steps wobbling a bit as he tries to get his attention,)

Let's get a number. There's still time.