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[ It does take him a bit to actually get there, because he ends up being outside for quite a while in the end, first with Klaus and then just on the off-chance he might see Luther around instead of having to go to Wild City.

And when he spots Emet in the lobby he's surprised to see him there, but he wastes no time in immediately walking up to him arms wrapping around him and head resting against him ]

[He puts his arm around his waist and tucks him into his side. He doesn't say anything yet, but rests his head against his as well. Just giving Five a few moments.]

[ You know how relaxed he looked about two days ago? It's all gone! Now he's tense and stressed all over again. But the embrace does seem to help some, and he takes a few moments to enjoy just that ]

I do hope I didn't make you wait too long.

You needn't have arrived at all. I was simply here in case I caught a glimpse of your panicked self. Your texts did lack your normal self assurance.

[He pets his back.]

Tell me you concerns for they are evident on your face.

I didn't manage to meet Luther at all. I know I could go to Wild City directly but I'm not doing that.

Talking with Klaus was admittedly better than I expected. I tried to keep your words about relying on him in mind and to be understanding of his current situation as an amnesiac regardless of how irritating he could get. I even managed to reassure him that I do like him, and told him I missed him.

[ So clearly that's good progress, right? ]

And his reaction was favorable I take it?

[Yes, that is good progress. Well done, dear.]

For the time being. A single good impression doesn't mean things will stay that way. Especially as he starts taking his memories.

But I managed to avoid treating him too harshly despite a few close calls and I was as sincere as I could be about my feelings.

Relationships of any kind, of any worth, are never so simple.

Then that is all you can ask of yourself. At the end of the day, he will need to like you for you --- brashness, arrogance, brilliance, caring and all.

[Petting his back.]

Breathe, though. I imagine you are exhausted.

Him potentially not liking me isn't the problem though I'd prefer having good ties with him than not.

But I have been thinking. How many times I'm going to have to see them die again.

[ he sigh at that, and pulls out of the embrace but only to offer Emet his hand ]

We're heading to my room.

Edited 2020-09-16 21:36 (UTC)

Don't lie to yourself. You would be devastated if he didn't like you.

[He takes his hand and gets up following him into Taisho.]

I had wondered about that. And to think I was going to use our new found leverage to protect Taisho if possible in games. I imagine you would like me to direct that to LiliS.

[ he gives him a dirty look because of course Emet would be able to call him out on that immediately and not, well. letting him lie to himself. ]

I don't know.

[ once they are in Taisho and they're in his room he'll just tug him toward the bed so they can sit down there instead ]

I don't want Wildfire to see my corpse again any more than I want to see Klaus' or Luther's. And in any case Baritones or Taisho's protection would amount to nothing, there's absolutely nothing we can do to prevent it from happening, and any attempt to do so is just a matter of deluding ourselves we have any amount of control over it.

[He holds both of his hand in between his own.]

I had not calculated in Wildfire. I simply assumed you'd rather take the injury than see it on your family.

You do speak the truth. You will have to see them die at some point. Nothing we can do will prevent that. But I would like to minimize it if possible, but I leave the choice to you. BARiTONES comes first, but who would you like me to put my vote in after.

And as much consolation as it is, they will not be alone during their most difficult times. And neither will you.

I would rather take the injury than see it on them. But the recent game and Wildfire does complicate that.

[ He lets out a noise of frustration and really, he knew today went from bad to worse but it's only now that he's with Emet that he really realizes how bad it's gotten, and the question on who to prioritize does mean he has to think it through — and the choice isn't just Taisho or LiliS ]

Klaus is on LiliS and Luther is on Wild City according to his profile. Neither of them will be able to handle it but Luther is the more likely to ask to prioritize someone else.

But I absolutely don't want to have Wildfire to go through seeing my corpse again. If Wildfire is playing, prioritze Taisho. If he's not, LiliS.

[He wraps his arms around him holding him close, one hand to the back of his head.]

Five, you and I both know the course of fate can be cruel and devastating for no reason. But for as many unpleasant situations that arise, two more pleasant ones rise up alongside. Laugh with them. Live with them. Explore the city, try out the cuisines, play pranks on each other, and watch the stars. Watch them grow alongside you as you all take your memories. Have the childhood and the growing together with both of your siblings that you were denied.

These memories will outweigh the others. For this is the exact reason you have spent your entire life trying to get back to them. There are moments of joy to be had.

[ It helps a little, not just the hug and touch, but the words as well. Emet is right. As difficult as it will be having them here he'd missed them terribly and now he has a chance to spend time with them without the end of the world hanging over their heads as an immediate threat.

Imeeji isn't peaceful but outside of games it's generally boring and uneventful. ]

... Klaus picked up on the fact I'm wearing a wedding ring. I kept fidgeting with it to remind myself I wouldn't have to deal with all this alone.

That asshole is more observant than I gave him credit for.

Of course you have me as a listening ear, but that is quite adorable all the same. But you can handle this. Do not doubt yourself in this.

I did get a chance to talk to him. A smiling face, a well placed gesture, but he's quite aware of his surroundings. I imagine he's more clever than you give him credit for.

Though I do implore, take them somewhere fun. I can let you into borrow the beach in BARiTONES if you like. You don't need to drop the weight of the apocalypse on them their first. Go enjoy some time with them. And then when you are all ready, take memories together.

I may have already mentioned the apocalypse. And doomsday. Among a few other things.

...... Of course.

Well, perhaps you can set a rule no doomsday talk at the table. A rule only for yourself.

... Do I need to chaperone?

[ he wants to say no but he very clearly can't be trusted to have a normal day and conversation with his siblings ]

For the record the implication I might not be able to refrain from that kind of talk offends me deeply.

...

...

...

But yes, that would probably be a smart way to handle it.

Very well. I will consider a way to make you enjoy normalcy with your brothers. When I am not present do feel free to talk about any subject you like.

It's at least worth trying. I guess I do want to build a proper relationship with them.

... Fox is leaving, by the way. He's graduating as well.

You were only gone a few days. Imagine how Taisho would be if you were gone a week.

[He rubs the bridge of his nose before tucking his legs up and pulling Five in his lap to hold him.]

But even though you will miss him, 'tis a good turn of events. Though it is a hard concept to convince one's heart.

Not as good as it could have been. He's taking Hell road so he won't abandon his lovers that are still stuck here, in some other shows.

[ he's letting Emet pull him into his lap, and again he wraps his arms around his neck, just sighing ]

But violence never suited him and as much as I will miss him, you're right that it's good news. Did I ever tell you before? Back when I arrived he was the one to provide me with points to get my first memory. It meant a lot to me at the time and it still does.

Fox aside Taisho has been ... complicated, for lack of a better words. I had another argument with Kaguya and Ao was delivered on our door after having just been killed.

Then of course I found out about my siblings. Today has been rough.

You are terribly fond of Taisho. If you were not, worries about them falling apart would not be on your mind. And I knew you were fond of Shu, but it seems Fox is not far behind.

And that was kind of him. And for as dysfunctional as this unit is, I do enjoy them. You all are just too stubborn for you own good.

[He kisses the top of his head.]

Rest then. Give yourself a moment. All of these can be tackled in the morrow. Non of them insurmountable. Your chief focus should be on ensuring you say goodbye to Fox properly. And then after bonding with your siblings.

Sometimes I really feel like I shouldn't be fond of them. It does make things complicated.

[ He lets his hand run through Emet's hair at that, taking a moment to just enjoy this - the physical closeness, being affectionate with him. It's relaxing in his own right and already he's starting to feel some of the weight drop off his shoulders, just at being able to share it with him. And despite that— ]

But we're not going to rest.

[ It's all he says before he reaches for his phone and makes a couple purchases ]

We got the paint and I purchased the rest of the necessary tools. No better time than the present to take care of it.

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