[Week 0, Monday: Ichigo]

[purrtagonist]

[welp. those profiles sure are a thing. Ichigo had been swamped enough with others approaching him upon their revelation, so. . . Akira waits until things have calmed down, until he can invite Ichigo to the McDonalds and grab an empty, quiet booth where no one will overhear them. he even has fries!! hooray!!]

[he doesn't waste any time in speaking once they sit down, too. and he gets straight to the point]

. . . are you all right?

[that point. not the other points. those come second. Ichigo's well-being? that's first]

Comments

[bladeisme]

[Ah -

For a moment, he feels like he's treading on something too close to home - something Akira might not want to talk about so easily.

He takes in a breath, considering his options - what he should say to that, or if he should even say anything, because -

What can he say that won't trample on Akira's heart?

After a moment, he finally comes to a conclusion.]

...Do you have scars from your death, too?

[purrtagonist]

[Ichigo assumes that Akira is delicate. he isn't-- in fact, he's the farthest thing from that one can get. even if it stings, he knows he can take it. and he knows, after Ichigo told him so much, that he owes his partner an explanation]

[he nods, and wordlessly brushes his bangs away from his forehead to reveal a pale bullet wound scar right in the center. it's not immediately visible from a distance, but a closer look reveals that it's definitely there. raised pink skin, circular in shape]

[a mark that serves as nothing but a reminder of Akira's failures]

[bladeisme]

[Ichigo winces a little at the scar, but then just breathes out - rubbing his shoulder before pushing some of his shihakusho aside to show Akira the scar that goes all around his shoulder, as if his arm was reattached there.]

Guess they decided to leave us some marks of our failures, huh.

[Ruefully, he places his outfit back on and looks at Akira, deciding to just ask.]

...How did it happen? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but...

[He wants to know, if just to help him understand Akira and where he's coming from a little better.]

[purrtagonist]

Ah, you know. Because the memories just aren't enough.

[with so much sarcasm it could be venom, dripping from every single word. he lets his bangs fall down and leans back in his seat]

It's a long and complicated story. I won't tell all of it.

. . . but I was trying to protect some people who are extremely important to me, through a very risky plan that put me face-to-face with the "traitor" himself.

The plan failed.

[he failed]

[and the others would suffer for it, if he didn't somehow survive this]

[bladeisme]

[Right, that's fair - he doesn't expect the whole story. He only gave the whole of his death because he didn't see the sense in hiding it, especially when the horrible manner of it was there for everyone else to see.

He nods, understanding the implication there - and he reaches out, to place his hand on Akira's shoulder, staring him straight in those gray eyes.]

...I know what it feels like to feel like you failed the people close to you, Akira.

[First name, because -

Well, they're partners now, aren't they? And not only that, but they both know the pain of being the one that others rely on...and letting them down.]

I'm sorry. But - like I said, I'll do everything I can to make sure you get your second chance - and this time, the plan won't fail.

[He sounds so confident - and maybe he feels like he is, in this moment, even though he's failed so many other precious people in the past.

Because their lives are linked together - and if he can't do his best for someone literally right in front of him, then...true death will be a fitting punishment.]

[purrtagonist]

[ah. . .]

[it isn't hard to read the determination, the conviction, in Ichigo's gaze. something about it makes Akira's heart swell with hope. hope that they can both survive this horror show of a game and earn their second chance at life. hope that Ichigo is right about him not fucking it all up on his second go around]

[hope that, no matter what happens, in the end? they'll be able to make things right]

[his hands tighten around his drink, something flashing hot in the backs of his gray irises. the fire of determination of his own]

. . . I have to survive this.

[he says that quietly, but firmly]

I have to make it back. Not for my sake, but for theirs.

[bladeisme]

And you will.

[The affirmation is quiet, but no less meaningful, still keeping eye contact as they talk.

There is hope, even if it's not hope for himself. Even if it's just the hope that someone who so desperately deserves it, someone that has people relying on him, who doesn't think of himself but the people he left behind - if that one person can make it through this, then all the pain that's to come will be worth something.]

No matter what.

[purrtagonist]

[god. Ichigo is too kind. whatever shitty death he experienced, he absolutely didn't deserve it. he needs to give back to Ichigo every ounce of determination and resolve that Ichigo is giving to him]

And I'll support you, in whatever way I can. I'll help you find your answers.

[the smallest flicker of a smile]

If you're lost, let me guide you, to the best of my ability.

That is what I can do in repayment.

[he puts it in those terms, just because making deals is what Akira does best. but truthfully? he wouldn't need a deal to make that offer]

[bladeisme]

[Despite everything - the painful memories, his own reluctance to gain his second chance - Those words, the emotions behind them come through crystal clear, and he smiles, gently nodding.]

...Alright.

[Yet, he lifts up a hand before Akira can speak again.]

But....you're right, that you're supporting me. And I'm supporting you. So...

Don't talk about repayment, or anything like that, because - we're being partners. And partners don't have to repay each other for watching each other's backs.

[He's serious, his eyes searching Akira's face before continuing.]

Our lives...they're connected now, you know? So it's more like...watching out for and supporting each other is really just us supporting ourselves.

[He pauses, and then scratches the back of his neck, looking away.]

That's what it seems like to me, anyway.

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

[he can't help but laugh, the sound light and airy, crinkling the edges of his eyes with the curve of his mouth]

Okay.

Then from this point forward, we're more than just partners for the sake of this game. We'll have each other's backs. [a pause, and a breath] No matter what.