No, you're fine. Akira, you're always welcome here.
[Is this the first time Akira has been to his room since they changed? Kurama's isn't much different except a lot of the old pictures have been replaced by pictures of an older woman with scarred arms. And apparently a bar was installed.
They really shouldn't be encouraging his drinking.]
[Kurama closes the door before moving to slide a gentle, supportive arm around Akira.]
...I have been better. But I think I'm coping better than many others. He looks like- But I didn't know him, really. Something about me seemed to unnerve him and he avoided me.
[He tilts his head down to rest against Akira's.]
If you'll excuse the observation, it doesn't seem you can say the same...
[Akira's quiet at those words. He glances over, too, then silently moves to obediently sit on the bed.
He lets out an uneasy little chuckle.]
It's fucking selfish as hell, but— [A wry grin...] Some part of me is honestly glad I can't feel others' emotions during the Trial. Just... feeling Aiden's before it...
[... a tremble runs through his body.] And— Akechi...
[Kurama settles next to him quietly. He listens to Akira, his expression open and concerned.
When Akira's hands clench, Kurama reaches to take one, his touch gently coaxing.]
He chose his fate. I... can relate. But that doesn't make it much easier on those left behind. And I think it's safer that you can't feel those emotions at the Trial.
[It takes a moment, but the fist in Kurama's hand gradually relaxes. After another couple of moments... Akira leans into Kurama.
Kind of funny, honestly— Kurama can't know how big of a deal this is for Akira to do this... Though he hasn't done it for as long as Kurama, he's nevertheless fighting himself every step of the way on this.
He inhales a shuddery breath, and two tears roll down his cheeks, hitting his lap.]
I'd been— avoiding him... And yet... when he found me down in the Rage Room yesterday... he didn't hesitate to comfort me.
[A frustrated noise escapes his throat, and he brings up his other hand to run up his face and underneath his glasses.]
[Kurama might have some sort of idea, even if not a complete one. It's something he'll let himself think over and feel later. When Akira doesn't need him.
He gently slides his free arm around Akira when the teen leans into him. It's carefully supportive, carefully undemanding.]
I suppose that means he didn't hold it against you.
[If either of the Goros here are anything like his, Kurama can, unfortunately, guess why. He squeezes Akira's hand gently.]
You aren't an idiot. Emotion makes fools of us all at times, but that is one of the things it means to be human.
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timeasmymeasure
Monday
Date: 2019-04-08 11:58 pm (UTC)Um...
[His hand comes up and runs over his face.]
If this is a bad time, I can go.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 12:05 am (UTC)[Is this the first time Akira has been to his room since they changed? Kurama's isn't much different except a lot of the old pictures have been replaced by pictures of an older woman with scarred arms. And apparently a bar was installed.
They really shouldn't be encouraging his drinking.]
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 12:35 am (UTC)[He manages a weak smile, slowly looking up to Kurama. His eyes are glossy and his gaze is vulnerable...
Quietly, he comes inside and gives another sniff.]
How're you holding up?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 05:07 am (UTC)...I have been better. But I think I'm coping better than many others. He looks like- But I didn't know him, really. Something about me seemed to unnerve him and he avoided me.
[He tilts his head down to rest against Akira's.]
If you'll excuse the observation, it doesn't seem you can say the same...
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 05:15 am (UTC)At this point, I'd normally just... go focus on someone else.
[He gives another sniff and a little 'heh'.]
This is... hard.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 05:20 am (UTC)You deserve to be focused on, too, Akira. You're allowed to care for your own feelings and not just those of others...
[Kurama takes a quiet breath and glances over at the bed.]
Sit with me?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 05:24 am (UTC)He lets out an uneasy little chuckle.]
It's fucking selfish as hell, but— [A wry grin...] Some part of me is honestly glad I can't feel others' emotions during the Trial. Just... feeling Aiden's before it...
[... a tremble runs through his body.] And— Akechi...
[His hands curl into fists at his sides.]
no subject
Date: 2019-04-09 06:44 am (UTC)When Akira's hands clench, Kurama reaches to take one, his touch gently coaxing.]
He chose his fate. I... can relate. But that doesn't make it much easier on those left behind. And I think it's safer that you can't feel those emotions at the Trial.
That could be genuinely incapacitating.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-10 05:58 am (UTC)Kind of funny, honestly— Kurama can't know how big of a deal this is for Akira to do this... Though he hasn't done it for as long as Kurama, he's nevertheless fighting himself every step of the way on this.
He inhales a shuddery breath, and two tears roll down his cheeks, hitting his lap.]
I'd been— avoiding him... And yet... when he found me down in the Rage Room yesterday... he didn't hesitate to comfort me.
[A frustrated noise escapes his throat, and he brings up his other hand to run up his face and underneath his glasses.]
I'm such an idiot.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-10 06:23 am (UTC)He gently slides his free arm around Akira when the teen leans into him. It's carefully supportive, carefully undemanding.]
I suppose that means he didn't hold it against you.
[If either of the Goros here are anything like his, Kurama can, unfortunately, guess why. He squeezes Akira's hand gently.]
You aren't an idiot. Emotion makes fools of us all at times, but that is one of the things it means to be human.