Not Again! With Akira

[shortforever]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

. . . I'm not just talking about the execution.

[although like. it was violent enough that Akira thinks it should've bothered anyone who watched it, whether they knew Winter or Evan or not]

The rules changed on us again.

[shortforever]

[You sweet summer child.]

Yeah, they like to do that, don't they?

[survivaltricks]

They sure do.

[he says with deceptive lightness, the way his hands curl around his mug belying his nonchalance]

And the whole "team versus team" thing?

Absolute bullshit.

[shortforever]

[That sure is a fukken mood right there. And Chuuya is too obvious with his emotions, because after hearing that he immediately looks away.]

Dazai and I aren't on the same team.

[That's all he's going to say about that too, since he doesn't know Akira's team.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . .]

[well shit]

Doesn't matter.

[. . . ?]

We're going to stop this somehow. Expel the residuals from this world. Punch that unrecognizable voice in whatever shady face they have. Revive those who have died-- Evan, and Tsurumaru. Send everyone home.

So. . . teams don't matter, because the result will still be the same.

[he sure does sound confident about that]

[shortforever]

Of course we're going to! But if one team has to win first-

[That's always been his worry. That in order to save everyone, he'll have to kill the people he cares about.]

Just...tell me that you're not on the grey team.

[survivaltricks]

[something flickers in Akira's expression. . . something pained and frustrated. he reaches out to take Chuuya's shoulders in his hands, squeezing tightly]

Don't get ahead of yourself. We're not sure that's how things have to play out. And if it is. . . [a breath] Then we'll figure it out. Okay?

[. . .]

I'm not on the gray team.

[shortforever]

[Chuuya seems a bit more willing to take that answer once Akira answers that last question. Truth or a lie, it doesn't matter. Chuuya can at least think in terms that don't mean juggling everyone's lives between three teams.

He still has to juggle two teams, but that's a bit more manageable.]

I guess, yeah. It's too early to just cooperate with them.

[But with how quickly his mind moves, he's still thinking of that worst case scenario.]

[survivaltricks]

Whoever "they" are.

[a small exhale, and his grip on Chuuya's shoulders lightens]

How many people have you told about your team?

[shortforever]

Just Dazai. Like hell am I telling anyone else.

[Akira might be able to get it out of him though, he trusts Akira implicitly.]

[survivaltricks]

[Akira isn't asking because he isn't willing to share. quid pro quo!!]

Good. There are apparently real consequences for sharing with too many people at once.

But sharing with one or two a week shouldn't trigger them, so. . . you're okay.

[shortforever]

...right.

[He won't share his team now, since it will be obvious what team Dazai is on, and Dazai might not like sharing that. But.]

The power I got. It's a one-hit-KO power.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . WOW]

[Akira hisses distastefully]

What, you touch someone and they die? That's it?

[shortforever]

Nah it's like. Projectiles. If I throw a knife it'll hit true and kill them.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . oh]

[jesus christ Chuuya??]

You know you could use that to play dodgeball really well, right?

[shortforever]

I don't want to kill you with a dodgeball, Akira!

[survivaltricks]

A dodgeball wouldn't kill me! It'd just leave a really big bruise!!

[shortforever]

I'm not about to use my power to try this out and accidentally kill you or something!

[survivaltricks]

Okay, okay!

[just. rubs his temple]

Anyway. . .

[and here, he hesitates]

I can nullify any power or effects on one person for up to twenty-four hours.

That's why I wasn't paranoid on Friday.

[shortforever]

So you used your power on yourself to be not-paranoid for a day?

[Huh. That's handy.]

[survivaltricks]

. . . more truthfully, I used it in case 45 came after me on Thursday night, but it had the effect of nullifying the paranoia completely.

[man]

Sure wish I could use it again now because I still think she might try to stab me in the back.

[shortforever]

Do I need to stay with you tonight to make you not worry about that?

[He will sleep up against the cabin door if he has to.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . . a tiny huff, and Chuuya gets a grateful look]

No, it's— it's okay.

I know what it is now, even if it feels natural. I'll be all right.

[shortforever]

Alright. But if you need me, I'm here, ok? And it's not an offer I give a lot of people, so be grateful for it.

[What a tsundere.]

[survivaltricks]

[huffs a little]

[and, lightly teasing]

Keep saying that and you're going to make a guy swoon, Chuuya.