[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]

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.