[scp r2: wrongtiming]

[purrtagonist]

stuff and things

Comments

[wrongtiming]

...Good. I'm really happy for you guys.

[The smile that comes over his face at that is sincere, especially since they're both safe (for now, at least).]

Why, then?

[purrtagonist]

. . . the whole story isn't mine to tell.

But Minato is the kind of person who would sacrifice his life to save the world without blinking an eye. Who would always refuse to be saved if it meant someone else had to die. And that's admirable.

[one of the most admirable things about him, really]

But if that's true, then who's there to save Minato?

[wrongtiming]

...You're that kind of person, too, you know.

[It's what he appreciates most and what frightens him most about Akira, and it brings another thought to mind.]

It's okay if you don't want to answer, but... What the Lady said, about the path you're taking now. What did she mean?

[He has a guess, but it might be off base.]

[purrtagonist]

[again, Akira's hand drifts to his chest, right over his heart]

I wasn't allowed to talk about it, or else-- a lot of people would die.

But I had a role. I guess I gave it up in order to take on this new one, and. . . Minato has it now.

[wrongtiming]

You were the Cleaner.

[There's a curiosity in his voice, but it's not exactly a question, either.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . . . . laughs, a bit wry]

Nice guess, but no.

[wrongtiming]

Oh. But it has to be something bad, doesn't it?

[He pauses, then, glancing at him.]

Can you tell me what it was now that it's his, or...?

[purrtagonist]

[silent for a moment, like he's listening for something, before he shakes his head]

I probably could, but to be on the safe side, I. . . won't.

I'm not kidding. Talking about it by name or in any kind of detail would've meant my death, and the deaths of anyone who happened to be around me at the time.

[wrongtiming]

No, it's okay. It means a lot that you told me at all, you know?

[Akira's said he trusts him, but he's used to people saying that with little follow through. This, though, is different enough that he hesitates before following it up with something that takes some trust of his own. Casually:]

I'd be a pretty big hypocrite if I got angry that you can't tell me all the details about the role you got, anyways. There are parts of mine I can't tell you.

[purrtagonist]

[what]

[SOMEWHAT. . . WRY. . .]

Is that so?

[wrongtiming]

[There's a smile, even if it's small.]

Before you get interested, it's really not as useful as any of the others I've heard about so far.

[purrtagonist]

It's not like mine was useful, either.

[he's curious, but. . . he couldn't give Hunter details, and he'll respect it if Hunter can't give him details, either]

[wrongtiming]

[He does hesitate for a moment, but... The reason Akira isn't telling him is because he doesn't feel like he can. It's a little bit different for him.]

I find out every week which people someone spent the night with, but... It's the same person every week, I can't pick a different person I'm curious about. [...] There's another part to it, but it's kind of distressing, and I feel like you've dealt with enough today.

[purrtagonist]

[wh]

. . . what kind of role is that?

[WHAT DOES ONE EVEN DO WITH INFORMATION ABOUT WHO SPENT THE NIGHT WHERE]

And it's okay. You can share the second part with me, but only if you want to.

[wrongtiming]

I mean, if they got killed... I'd know who they were with the night they died. I think that's the point of it, at least.

[He shrugs slightly, glancing towards the ground.]

The way it was explained to us... The reason we know where the other is on Thursday nights is because our lives are linked together. So, if something happened to one of us, the other would... [For a second time, he trails off, but he's expecting Akira to understand regardless.] But they seem pretty smart and careful, so it'll probably be fine.

[purrtagonist]

[oh. and suddenly, it makes so much more sense]

Can you tell me who the other person is?

[wrongtiming]

That’s where the whole “I can’t tell you everything” part comes in. I don’t think they would want me to say who they are.

[A beat, and then:]

But... If anything happened to them, I’d tell you before the trial.

[purrtagonist]

I understand.

[and that's all he'll ask about that]

Thanks. . . for sharing. Even after the other week.

[when he told Minato and Makoto and Atsushi about Flat as the Barghest but not Hunter]

[wrongtiming]

No... It’s okay. I get why you didn’t say anything. Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything even if I knew.

[A beat, and a small laugh.]

And that’s me being realistic, not self loathing, promise.

[purrtagonist]

[just grins, and leans to the side to bump his shoulder with Hunter's]

[wrongtiming]

[He returns the gesture, even as he gives a small laugh.]

What's that about?

[purrtagonist]

Show of camaraderie, that's all.