week 3 ( sunday )

[subordinacy]

[Hold himself together—he has to hold himself together. Don't show weakness, don't show weakness repeats itself in his head like a mantra, even as he knows he's already failed.

(He wants to cry, scream, hit something—anything. But he can't.)

He can't afford to mope. He just has enough time for the mask of ice to settle, before he seeks out Akira.]

What did you tell Ichigo, exactly?

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[. . . ah]

Mmmm. Well. . .

[hops up, so he's seated on the edge of the counter, legs swinging in the air]

Max gets my recipe is anything happens to me. If you like it that much, talk to him.

You know where I keep my paraphernalia now.

[subordinacy]

... It's still weird to think about you hiding it in a bathroom.

[purrtagonist]

The moment we have access to a store with a kitchen is the moment I move it. Trust me.

[ha]

[and then, more seriously]

Anyway. . . if you change your mind, I'm here.

[for now]

[subordinacy]

... Thank you. I do appreciate it, Akira—everything you've done for me.

[purrtagonist]

I haven't done-- . . . too much.

[or it doesn't feel like he has, anyway. as exhausting as these four weeks have been, he only just now feels like they're coming into some answers]

Except speak from my heart, I suppose. And say what I really believe.

[subordinacy]

... You've... done a lot for me.

[Akira has been kind to him—kinder than most have ever been in Setz's life.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . his instinct is to deny it, of course. but he lifts his gaze from the coffee maker to seek out Setz's with his own, studying him carefully]

If that's true. . . then I'm glad.

And I'll keep doing what I can, even as we move forward.