quietplacelogs

It's not quite nothing. Just across the room was a dutiful 9S, doing one of his daily checks on the reset room since Akira's mysterious disappearance. He and Akechi had been taking turns, though it wasn't as organized as it sounds. It just happened to work out that way.

Right now, it was as if Akira had appeared in the blink of an eye. A flash of darkness, and suddenly he was there. 9S jolts up from his position against the wall, rushing over to his side. His pulse spikes, and even as the adrenaline-like rush of relief washes over him, he knows there's still a chance...

...that his memories...

"Akira!" 9S crouches down beside him, reaching out to place a hand on his opposite shoulder so that he's leaning over him. He shakes him gently. "Hey, are you okay?"

He hears him before he sees him, thanks to how he was staring straight up at the ceiling as his name was called.

Akira blinks at 9S a couple of times, brow tensed as he studies his face for a moment.. And his memories are certainly not doing him any favors. There's something between confusion and recognition in his expression. He grimaces, hand pressing against the side of his head--

Oh... he'd hit his head in this place before, right? This is where he... died. He died. Something cold and unpleasant curls in his stomach as the foggy nature of the memory only ends in him feeling more confused about exactly what led up to his death. All he knows is that death is what leads to this place. So, it's after he shakes his head a couple of times, he finally speaks.

"Nines... right?"

That's... what he remembers at least mentally referring to this guy as. This is his... roommate. A friend? Augh... he hates this damn feeling. Hates that it seems like he's forgetting so much regarding the few good things that happened in his life.

So much death... loss... regret... He remembers all that fully, so why not--

His teeth clench together for a moment, his eyes tightly closing as he bites back the sound of frustration.

"Nines...?" 9S starts, confusion flashing over his features before a small, elated smile overcomes him as he adds, "Yeah, that's me."

He settles down beside Akira and reaches forward to brush the hair out of his face, his knuckles softly grazing their way past his cheek before settling on his shoulder again.

The warmth that came off of him, the light sensation of a pulse. He was really alive. The reset room was incredible, to be able to bring back an organic creature, and one as complex as a human being.

Why can't they have something as amazing as this back home? All those humans who died, thousands of years ago...

All the humans still dying, trapped up on the moon as they fought an endless war.

"Welcome back, Akira."

His expression softens with surprise before confusion flickers over it.

After opening his eyes again, he studies the other young man. 9S - he remembers that he struck him as someone gentle. An innocent kind of warmth towards humans, a need to protect and help... Someone Akira could easily come to trust, in full. It's with that thought managing to shine through the dark fogginess of his mind, his features remain softened for now.

Something of a tired smile attempts to surface as he nods, voice quiet as he speaks, "Thank you..."

For being here, for warmly welcoming him, for caring... The list could go on, but his focus drifts to something that suddenly has him blinking hard. Jolting practically. His next exhale is sharp, uneven...

"Akechi-! And... Naruto and Houou...! They were with me, when--"

So much concern, fear, confusion - he can't remember all the details, but he knows they were there. His teeth clench together as he reaches to take 9S' shoulder, something almost desperate in his gaze for just a fraction of a second. All chill is out the window for the moment as he asks:

"Are they okay??"

Clearly, he doesn't know how long he was gone.

Edited 2018-02-28 09:26 (UTC)

"Akira?!" 9S blurts, his hand recoiling as Akira starts to panic. Unfamiliar names, and that fearful look on his face make 9S cringe. He hesitates to reach for him again, physical comfort being mostly foriegn to him.

Instead, he does what he can to quell his fears.

"Um, I don't know who Naruto and Houou are, but Akechi should be back at the clinic. We were taking turns watching over it while you were gone."

9S pulls out his device, rapid-fire texting with one hand.

"I'll contact him. Just relax."

Ack... he feels bad for worrying Nines...

Guilt openly spreads over his face, while he's in this state. He holds a blink, and then reaches out to rest a hand on his friend's shoulder. Those words are super appreciated, after all. These attempts mean the world, right now.

"Thank you..."

He seems to have calmed down a little. And it's after he looks to the floor for a moment, and after the text has been sent, he hesitates... then he moves forward to gently wrap his arms around Nines. Let him have this moment? He feels like crap, and everything is a haze, and this is someone who clearly cares about him who he just worried??? Possibly freaked out, but there's clearly some... hesitation he's sensing?

So... yeah.

He pulls back, twists a strand of bangs, and releases a slow exhale as he thinks on those words. His mind feels like mush right this second, but he's able to focus on bits and pieces of information at a time.

"So... Akechi helped watch over the... clinic? What... clinic, exactly?"

There's obvious discomfort... Has it been weeks? Months? A year? More...? It feels like maybe it was a couple of months, but he can't be... sure of anything, right now...

"How long was I gone?"

"Oh, it was noth--," 9S starts, and completely forgets the rest of his sentence when Akira pulls him into a hug. A human was... He was pretty warm.

The recognition, and the affection he always craved from his creators; he fully realizes it in this moment. Unlike the uncertainty and tension he held when 2B hugged him, 9S relaxes against Akira. It feels natural to help a human, and it feels nice to be recognized for his hard work.

When he pulls away, 9S straightens back up and smiles wide, his cheeks red.

"Okay, I'll explain everything! For starters, you've been gone an entire week... Your memory's going to be a little hazy for a few days, but don't worry! It'll be back in no time."

Edited 2018-03-10 03:15 (UTC)

When he had gotten the text from 9S, he promptly stopped in the middle of his meal, got up, and headed for the reset room. He didn't run, because there was no need to make a scene, but he certainly lengthened his strides and walked with quick purpose. ... actually, that might be just as or more attention-grabbing than running? ... that's not his primary concern right now, anyway.

His heart was pounding, a surge of hope welling up within him that he tried to keep in check. But would the android lie about something as important as this? ...nevertheless, Akechi won't be satisfied until he sees him with his own two eyes.

And upon coming into the reset room, that's exactly what happens.

The relief Akechi expresses is immediately and palpable; his breath escapes him in an audible woosh, his shoulders slump... for a moment, he very nearly gives into the urge to outright lean on the wall.

Briefly, his hand comes up to lightly touch his face, to cover it momentarily less his face twitches from the sheer relief he's experiencing. The past week had been... excruciatingly painful, and to see that Akira wasn't permanently gone as he had feared was...

It's honestly the biggest relief he's ever experienced in his life.

After taking a moment to collect himself... he finally walks over to the two of them, looking at the newly revived man in particular. His expression is neutral, but with a bit of softness to it. Softness, and perhaps something... else? Guilt?

"How are you feeling?"

Oh...

Everything about that reaction is cute, and earns a warm fondness. Briefly, Akira feels slightly compelled to reach out and just. Ruffle Nines' hair? He ignores that desire in favor of listening. And it's after hearing those words, he winds up looking down at the floor. There's a moment where he simply twists a strand of his bangs, thoughts moving at a slightly sluggish pace - he's searching his memories, and well...

A... week...

That's it? But it felt like... months. Maybe it's just because of the figurative holes in his mind? And he's going to be feeling this way for a few days, at least? He releases a heavy exhale and nods.

"Thank you, Nines... So-"

He's able to see the movement from his peripheral; someone else is in the room now, and it's not even a second after his eyes land on the person, he freezes. It's very brief, but there's an immediate swell of... relief.

Relief, surprise, and-... guilt.

It all slams across his face faster than he can stop it from happening. He quickly lowers his head for a moment, not understanding his own feelings here. As quickly as he can manage, he reels it all in. He fights back the urge to release a wry-sounding laugh of sorts. Get it together, Kurusu...

"... Hungry?"

Hungry is a feeling, right? And doesn't elaborate on his mental state! A win/win. He takes a quiet breath and looks up to Akechi now. The surprise is no longer there, but the relief lurks beneath the surface, right along with some of that lingering guilt. There are a lot of things he could say, but--

"I'm sorry."

--guess this is where we're starting. He lowers his gaze to the floor. Damn if he doesn't have a million questions, though. He sifts through all the information he's learned, his mind circling back to an earlier one.

He looks to Nines, "So... about that clinic you were talking about," he starts, then looks back to Akechi as he asks, "What clinic?"

"Good, you made it!" 9S greets the other boy with a smile, the good mood Akira put him in still bubbling over. He doesn't appear to catch the nuanced looks either of the humans share, instead taking Akira's words at face value to dive towards their next destination. What's important here is to make Akira as comfortable and happy as possible in his time of need.

"You can worry about that later. You humans need food to function properly, right? Finding you something to eat should be our top priority."

... that's... quite an array of emotion that's flying across Kurusu's face. Especially considering he— probably didn't remember what happened prior to his arrival, right? He didn't know what happened... how he... died. But even if he did... that doesn't necessarily explain the guilt? It's all a bit much to try to decode just standing here, anyway; for now, he ought to just focus on the boy in front of him.

For a moment, he glances over at 9S, a bit... caught off-guard? He probably shouldn't be; the cheerful friendliness seemed to rather be the android's personality (... at least when he wasn't bloodthirsty over Machines...) and wasn't... it wasn't a reflection on their relationship, personally. Still, for a moment, the smile seems to... embarrass him a bit. Ignore the bit of pink on his cheeks? He's just flushed from having walked over here so quick or something. Shush!!

...hungry?

Akechi's not sure if Akira could have come up with something that was more of a non-answer if he tried. And the more he looks at him, the more he can tell... he isn't well. But is that any surprise? He certainly hadn't been doing well prior to his death, either. Why should things be any different now?

Slowly, his gaze falls to the ground. It's his fault.

I'm sorry.

No, no, no. Why is this idiot apologizing again? Why? For fuck's sake, he should just get angry already. He should just take all his anger out on Akechi. Why won't he just do that?

"Don't," he responds, softly. After a moment of hesitation... he extends a hand in offering to Akira. "Come. There's food back at the clinic."

Edited 2018-03-23 05:25 (UTC)

For a moment, he actually... stares... at the hand. With his memories a jumbled jigsaw puzzle right now, he can't for the life of him piece together a proper picture of why or how he should be responding to Akechi. But there isn't too much of pause before he takes the hand, letting himself be helped to his feet.

"Don't what?"

... Should he have asked? Heh. Doesn't matter, does it? His expression is a forced kind of calm as he looks at the older teen for a moment, and then... glances away.

"We should talk later..."

Talk... After they leave here, they won't be able to verbally do it, right? He releases a sigh and glances at the door. Some part of him regrets that they'll even have to leave here, since it's like a different world out there. Sure, he's always been on the quiet side, but that doesn't mean he enjoys hearing only silence.

If anything, he remembers it driving him up the wall a little...

"Right then... let's go," he says as he turns and starts out the door.

Boy, this atmosphere sure is heavy. 9S glances between the two humans again, and he knows there's...so much he's missing. Not just contextually, but in his own understanding of human kinship and family. He has a feeling that "talk" will exclude him, but that doesn't mean he won't try and eavesdrop.

"I'll guard the rear." 9S offers, taking his place at the back. Really, this is just his excuse to watch them more carefully.

"Apologize," he responds simply. As he helps Kurusu up, he draws strength from the warmth and solidity of his hand. He's here. He's alive. For once in his life, the worst thing possible hadn't happened to Akechi. The worst thing possible hadn't happened to somebody he cared about. He was fortunate.

That's why when he lets go, his hand lingers for a brief moment. But Kurusu's revival isn't enough on its own to completely lift the weight of guilt from his shoulders. He still inevitably led him to his death.

Talk, hm...? Heh, he's... not looking forward to that. But he nods, if... stiffly.

He glances at the android, almost as if for a moment he'd forgotten 9S was there, before he walks out with Kurusu. He's still taking him in as they walk, his footsteps, the sight of him, everything being reassuring. Haha, damnit... he really can't stop caring, can he? When he left, the absence was like a hole in his life. A hole of— the only person here who really knew him... and somehow accepted him for who he was.

One he drove to his death.

He really fucking hates himself, and his hand twitches, too eager to curl into a fist to release some of that anger and pain, but he stops himself.

Getting upset won't help anyone. Least of all Kurusu.

Apologize...

That's exactly what he'd expected to hear. He doesn't respond beyond giving a nod to Nines at his words. And he doesn't say anything as they walk. There is a glance to Akechi as a silent request for him to lead the way.

It's after they arrive at the clinic, Akira's taking a moment to look around - he doesn't recognize any of this...

With a frown, he looks to the floor. It's with a silent sigh, he turns to look at the pair; he briefly reaches into his pocket for his phone...

... Hm? Where is it...? He pats both pockets for a moment, and then gives a very slight tilt of his head as he looks to Akechi... then Nines. The question may or maybe not be obvious before he lifts both hands.

'Did I... lose my phone when... I died?'

The hesitation isn't simply because of the topic - he is having trouble remembering the words. Not that he forgot everything he learned; his knowledge wasn't exactly super expansive, even before he died. Granted, just coming back from the Reset Room, his thoughts are a bit occupied and scattered.

Despite the awkwardness of their entire walk to the clinic, 9S perks up to offer Akira a smile when he looks back at him. That smile flickers at the question, but only briefly as he realizes he has the answer.

Oh, right! Akechi kept it safe for you.

He can see the frustration on Akira's features when they come back and there's not the slightest look of recognition in his eyes. He may as well have walked into an entirely new establishment for the first time. His brow furrows slightly at the signs of discouragement. Actually, all in all, Akira seems incredibly... subdued. Not at all indicative of the spitfire leader he'd grown to know, who was itching for a good struggle and to promote justice in an unfair world.

His gaze lingers on him contemplatively, then flick down to his hands, hesitant and uncertain in their movements. Phone... oh. Realization immediately flickers to his eyes, and he has to stop the kneejerk reaction of reaching into his pocket.

I will go get it.

He sticks to simple words and phrases, mindful of Akira's struggling memory, as he turns and heads into the room. It's... all for show, of course, because the device was with him the entire time, but Akira might have... questions, if he just pulls it out of his pocket. And— he already has enough to think about.

So he pulls it out of his pocket, waits a second more, then comes back and offers it to the other man.

He blinks softly, glancing from Nines to Akechi. His head tilts just a little in another silent question, but he isn't stopping the older teen from going to get said phone, of course. After it's in his hand, he nods in gratitude.

'Thanks. I hope it wasn't much trouble..'

Well... given how things had become, as far as he remembers-- Anyway. He's going to release a silent breath, walking around a little bit, peeking into various rooms or spaces.

'What's this place for... exactly? Is there no actual doctor here?'

9S watches Akechi with a certain intensity as he leaves the room.

...Why did he do that? He had the device right on him. What was the purpose of pretending to get it from the other room?

Despite realizing this, he doesn't say anything as Akechi presents it to Akira. He simply watches to see if Akira notices himself, which doesn't seem to be the case.

You're the doctor, Akira.

Hey, 9S, how about: don't judge him???

Akechi is studiously not looking at the android— don't give him away!!— and is instead observing Akira. Why was he... like this? He'd given his life for Akechi, certainly, but that— that shouldn't cause him to be like this?

Are you ill?

Right after he finishes signing, he raises his left hand, pressing the back of it to Akira's forehead. Fuzzy memories were a side-effect, yes... maybe some sort of illness was, too? But he hadn't heard of anything like that from the natives...

Doctor...?

For a moment, he seems to be waiting for some kind of punchline. Him? A doctor? How...? Well, no, more like... why? Isn't there somebody around here with medical experience, who'd handle this kind of thing better than him? All he has is an array of spells, but would that kind of thing even work here?

'How did I manage that...?'

But then Akechi's asking that question and touching his forehead. Akira's blinking softly, and then... frowning. Is he ill? Something about that question actually... irritates the hell out of him. It's not even anger at Akechi, per se. But... right. Of course. He's the ever-calm, levelheaded leader of the thieves, right?

Pull it together, Kurusu... His expression quickly shifts into something even calmer. More... "put together." He's fin- he'll be fine, just as soon as his head clears. As soon as he can remember what the hell motivated him to guide a team through everything they apparently went through together. Or... even how he gained their trust, in the first fucking place???

... Calm...

'Just hungry and tired.'

9S isn't judging, he's just observing and mapping out how to approach Akechi about the matter later. His lips quirk into a frown as Akechi frets over Akira. Akira, who was clearly not telling them something.

Is that really all?

He signs the words before he has time to think better of just putting his suspicions out there. 9S quickly backpedals, trying to soften the blow.

I mean, we can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong.

Of course he sees Akira carefully trying to conceal his expression as soon as Akechi says that, and it... stings... but he tries not to focus on that. What's clear is by the way that he reacted, something is troubling him.

...just hungry and tired... Akira expects him to believe that? Even 9S is skeptical.

His hand falls away, and he looks to the android expressing his concern, quiet, conflict in his eyes. Why does it suddenly— matter to him so much that Akira be okay? Haha, maybe it's because... the last time he was doing unwell... His stomach twists, and his hand twitches at his side.

He draws in a breath, then slowly brings up his hands to sign:

If you really don't want to, you don't have to talk to us, but He hesitates for a moment. A couple moments.

What is he doing? What should he be doing? He suddenly seems at a complete loss for how to handle this situation. He'd treated Akira almost exclusively with ire since he came, and now he's suddenly— afraid of pushing him?

I should go get you some fresh fruit.

Is he actually nervous? Apparently so, because before anyone has a chance to protest, he hurries out the door.

Edited (idk if i like this better but huffs) 2018-04-13 00:11 (UTC)

... The amount of conflict in his gut is... surprising. He looks to Nines for a moment, some consideration ghosting over his face. He lowers his gaze, up until he sees the older teen's hands lifting. And... there's surprise on his face, almost immediately. Why does Akechi seem this worried? Before he has a chance to stop it, his hands lift--

'-but...?'

His mouth opens just a little as he watches the brunette leave. For just a split second, he wants to take off after him. To stop him. To figure out what the rest of that sentence was going to be. Instead, he looks to Nines.

Akira's shoulders sag a little. But, after holding a blink, he releases a quiet exhale, shaking his head. A wry smile appears on his lips, and he begins moving his hands:

'I can't... remember how I even met him. I can't remember how I became friends with the people I care most about. Not just that, though...'

There's a pause after he scrubs a hand through his hair.

'... I know you want to help. But there's nothing that could help this.'

Aside from time, right?

9S gives Akechi a look of betrayal. Seriously, he's being left alone here? He doesn't know what to do, he doesn't know how to comfort Akira or make him talk, or even if he should--

But Akechi is gone, and 9S is left to nervously turn back towards Akria. It's only as he reads his words that his doubts disappear, and he understands.

Don't worry, your memories will come back. When I "reset", I couldn't remember anything either...but you told me that it would be okay, and it took some time, but it was. That's actually how we met! I don't know how you met Akechi, but I'm sure if you ask he'll be happy to tell you, right?

9S punctuates with a smile.

It doesn't have to be all bad. Think of this like a chance...to meet someone important to you for the first time all over again.

It's not all that far into Nines' words, Akira's eyes widen just a bit. The more Nines talks, the more his expression softens. With the smile and the latter words, he does manage to give a smile. There's a hint of sadness, but it's clear that he's being comforted by the intentions - it... really is the thought that counts, huh?

'You're right.'

Almost sheepishly, he rubs a hand at the back of his neck, glancing around for a moment...

'... I'm sorry it had to happen to you, too. And I hate that it's while we're stuck in a situation like this...'

He's pausing to twist a strand of his bangs for a moment, and then he nods. Even with his eyes holding a hint of lingering regrets (and possibly some of that persistent sadness), the words are fully meant; his gestures and his expression are genuine.

'But I'm glad you're here, and I'm happy that we met. Thank you, Nines.'

9S lowers his head a bit, his smile soft and a little sheepish.

I'm lucky to have met someone like you, Akira...

A little more seriously, he adds. I'll protect you this time. I swear.

He can't help the small smile that appears in response to that expression. This guy... really should be told things like this more often, shouldn't he?

'I'm lucky to have someone like you at my side.'

A-ah... a promise like that... is- Honestly, the thought of someone dying in his place sends a cold chill down his spine. Something unpleasant twists in his gut, and he has to fight to keep his expression steady. He could probably protest until he was blue in the face, and it would only ever accomplish what it would have with his friends, back home...

'Just don't do anything reckless, trying to accomplish that...'

He takes his time, retrieving food for Akira.

He doesn't want to be upset. Akira's been through a lot. He just died, his memories are foggy, and clearly something is going on that's upsetting him. He has every reason not to want to open up to Akechi. And yet all he can say, with a snide little voice in his head, is I wonder why that is?

God... he hates himself.. so fucking much! If he could be just about any other person in the world, he would trade places in a heartbeat. Because Goro Akechi is a selfish boy, thinking only of himself and he destroys all the people who care about him, just by virtue of being himself.

Heh... dimly, he thinks to himself, this is the opposite of not getting upset. But he lets the native at the greenhouse know that Akira's revived and he gets a kiwi and starts making his way back.

He shouldn't push him. Maybe... with time, Akira would open up. (He doubts that). All he can do is express his worries, and offer a place for him to vent, should he need it. Because it is... really upsetting, to see him like this. (And a venomous voice in his head keeps shouting, "You're the one to blame.")

When he comes back, he doesn't feel... less upset, maybe, but he feels a little calmer and a little more able to approach the situation. He walks over to Akira, and offers the Kiwi.

Why are the two of you still standing around? Kurusu, if you're tired, you ought to take a seat.

...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject