those who live

[raidraptors]

[Good; any scolding would have been a waste of breath as far as Shun is concerned. He nods though, agreeing:]

Later then.

[This isn't a conversation he can escape, even if Yuto doesn't know the reasons for that… yet. Still… he isn't exactly unhappy with having more time to figure out it how to break it, the death of their comrades (the certainty that they could have done something if only he hadn't left for Standard, if only Yuto hadn't followed) a heavy weight in his stomach.

He ignores the offer for support when he pushes off the door frame – sure he's tired and unwell, but he's got a point to make (it's not that bad, he's had worse, he'll be fine) – then makes his way towards their room, maybe not quite as quick as he'd move usually, but fairly steadily.

(Something is off about Yuto's appearance, something is missing… but right now that just might be because Yuto has only just gotten up; it's just about sunset after all.)]


Continued from here!

Comments

[darkduelist]

[Their comrades from Spade...? Yuto's eyes widen and he takes a deep breath, hoping that he didn't hear right.]

But that... it can't be...

[Yuto bites his lower lip. Their comrades are all gone. His heart hurts as this one sentence echoes through his mind. Then regret appears alongside the pain. If he only hadn't followed Shun to Standard... maybe, maybe he would've saved someone. Maybe...!]

...And the other districts?

[raidraptors]

[Grief comes easier here than it had back in Heartland – in his memory the realization had been sobering, but not paralyzing because it couldn't be. Not while the enemy that was responsible is so close.

Shun drags up his hand to drop it on Yuto's shoulder, a tiny gesture of comfort while they are so close, while they are both mourning their comrades.]

I don't know. The last I remember is deciding to check up on Clover.

[On Allen and Sayaka, on Kaito… surely at least Kaito must have survived. He's a tough bastard after all.]

[darkduelist]

[In here they are so far away from everything. They can't fight Academia, can't check on the rest of survivors. They can't do anything.

Frustration and regret wash over Yuto, his hands clench into fists. But Shun's hand on his shoulder somehow brings him back from his dark thoughts. And even thought it brings only a little bit of comfort, Yuto is grateful for it. His hand uncurls and he reaches up to touch Shun's.]

Kaito wouldn't have lost. I'm sure of it.

[And as long as Kaito is there not everything is lost. Even though it hurts, they can't lose hope.

Yuto is silent for a moment.]

Shun, you need to rest. We'll... talk more later. [Every word is spoken slowly and somewhat quieter than earlier.

Yuto squeezes his best friend's hand lightly.]

[raidraptors]

[They can't do anything – not to help Resistance, not to help Ruri – and sometimes, when Shun thinks too much about it, it feels as though despair might take the whole of him.

Having Yuto close helps at least; having his support means more than Shun can put into words. He hadn't known to appreciate it back in Standard, not until Yuto had suddenly disappeared.

(I'm glad you are here, he's said once months ago and he'd meant it. He still does.)

As for Kaito…]

Yea. He's too stubborn to be killed easily.

[He better be, or Shun will find him in the damn afterlife and kick his ass.

Shun exhales slowly, testing himself before he pulls himself off Yuto fully – he'll give in and try to sleep off at very least exhaustion, but before that he needs to make one thing utterly clear:]

You aren't off the hook.

[He hasn't forgotten about Yuto dying, is still angry about it and they will talk about that. But not now.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto looks at Shun for a moment, then he nods.]

I know. [He knows that his best friend hasn't forgotten.]

I promise we'll talk later. Now lie down and get some rest.

[Shun can get as angry at him as he wants. Later, that is.

Besides, Yuto is not planning to go anywhere. He won't try to run away from talking to Shun, no matter how much he'd want to.]

[raidraptors]

[Shun sighs and finally relents, shrugging out of his vest before he lies down and curls up under his side of the blankets, careful not to strain the half-healed wound at his left side too much as he makes himself comfortable.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto is still there, watching his best friend for a moment longer. Then he sits down somewhere on the other part of the room, thinking of their comrades from Spade, thinking about Kaito, Allen and Sayaka, thinking about the enemies he and Shun can't fight right now.

Between getting lost in his own thoughts, he looks at Shun once more and finds himself wishing that he would never leave his friend's side ever again.

He doesn't want to die again, he doesn't want to make Shun sad or angry, he doesn't want to forget.

But what can he do to become stronger?]

[raidraptors]

[Shun does his best not to fidget where he's laying – he is exhausted, but werebears are their most active after sunset and right now that's working against him. Of course, the feeling of Yuto's eyes in his neck doesn't really help either.

Finally he carefully turns to face his friend. It doesn't take much to figure at least part of what's on his mind.]

…We'll avenge them.

[Once they get out of here.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto doesn't say anything but after a long moment of silence he finally nods and says in a firm tone:]

Of course we will.

[But his eyes are somewhat sad, the pain he feels deep down inside is showing in them.]

Rest now, Shun. [He closes his eyes.] I'll be here if you need anything.

[raidraptors]

[A faint snort, before Shun closes his eyes again, tension mostly draining away with a quiet sigh. It takes a while until dreams take him, but eventually he falls asleep.]