akira

[preordain]

Comments

[tearduct]

I was listening.

[He frowns.]

Yeah.

[He's honest...]

[preordain]

And are they okay?

[ he... does not actually care...

but he'll ask........ ]

[tearduct]

[It feels weird to have Ryo ask as if he cares...]

I don't know. Malibu said they'd be fine. I don't get why they were gone with some of the rest of us.

[preordain]

[ he really doesn't but akira was paying more attention to the phone than he was to him and that was annoying. ]

Who knows? I doubt they were expecting it either.

[tearduct]

[Thinks about all the times Ryo has been on his phone. Akira doesn't exactly, but I do.]

I know.

[preordain]

[ well, ryo is a hypocrite. it's fine. ]

You should stop worrying about it for now. It's Thursday, we're going to have bigger problems soon.

[tearduct]

[He frowns. Thanks for the rationality, Ryo.]

Are you worried...?

[preordain]

No. If someone tries to kill me I'd just shoot them.

[tearduct]

Ryo, it might not be you. It could even be me.

[preordain]

That's true.

[ hm... ]

You're not allowed to die though. You can't leave me.

[tearduct]

[Hmmm.]

Do you even care about me, Ryo? The me that's here.

[preordain]

[ it actually takes him by surprise. ]

What kind of question is that?

[tearduct]

[His eyes shift away briefly before coming back.]

I won't go back with you. If we make it, if you win. I don't go back where you're going. I'm the Akira who died. So... do you even care about me? If I'm not the one waiting on you when you go back.

[preordain]

[ a second passes, and then he'll walk over to him, placing his hands firmly on akira's shoulders. ]

It doesn't matter how many Akiras that there are. I'll always care about you. I already knew, but after everything else I've learned while here... but it's always going to be you.

[ his grip tightens, before he lets go and takes a few steps back. ]

You gave up on trying to get me to stay, then.

[tearduct]

[This draws his focus completely, and he levels his full attention on Ryo.

His expression shifts from pensive to something quietly accepting.]

I know you won’t. I know you’ll go back to try saving me.

[preordain]

[ it's very funny, when you aren't aware that you're doomed and absolutely nothing you do will result in a happy ending.

because ryo doesn't know this, so he looks so very intently at akira. ]

What else am I supposed to do? You're my best friend.

[tearduct]

[It's fine............ Akira also does not know anything about being doomed, only that he is now dead after Earth has been destroyed, so he does not see any point for him in regards to second chances.]

You'll just have to make the choice, [he says quietly.] Just do, and I'll always be with you.

[Because even if it isn't him, it'll be him. And he knows he won't be able to stop Ryo. He's tried? And he couldn't do it.]

[preordain]

[ he finally breaks eye contact. ]

Gideon told me that she wanted you to go to another world.

[tearduct]

[By the look on his face, this genuinely surprises him.]

Gideon...? Why? I don't know if it works that way. The demons said you could text Satan, but I still haven't tried to ask about the conditions for winning.

[preordain]

She just said she was looking into it. If it's possible, would you take the offer?

[ akira has been pretty set on punishing himself, but... ]

[tearduct]

[He opens his mouth, then closes it. He never... thought someone would be trying to give him the same offer!! WHY? Allow him to be a lost cause...]

But... I wouldn't ever see you again.

[Well. He wouldn't here either, but he had attempted initially to get Ryo to stay.]

[preordain]

[ that... ryo wasn't expecting that reaction. he takes a step closer to akira. ]

... is that something that would upset you? Never seeing me again?

[tearduct]

[He frowns at Ryo, then lowers his eyes to his lap.]

It'd hurt for a little while.

[preordain]

Just a little while.

[ he walks another step, and then once he's close enough, ryo wraps his arms around him for a hug. ]

We were meant to be together.

[ he doesn't mean romantically. just... together. ]

[tearduct]

[The hug makes him swallow, and he leans his face against Ryo's shoulder. After a moment, one hand idly lifts to rest on Ryo's side.]

But we won't be. Not me and you. It'll be you and him.

[This week is so rough on his psyche.]