neverplaysfair | Game 013 [Voice/Action]

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Game 013 [Voice/Action] - "Triumphant" Return

[ The feed cuts in to the sound of coughing, and a very soft ] dammit [ before Joshua speaks into the journal, his voice somewhat hoarse and higher-pitched than usual. ]

Hanekoma, come get me. [ Mostly he just sounds exhausted. ]

[ Josh is sitting against a tree on the edge of the forest, staring at the mountains off in the distance, his journal in his lap. He looks younger... 10, maybe 12 at the oldest. He's covered in burn marks and bruises, and his clothes are completely ruffled and smattered with blood stains, not to mention a bit oversized due to him not being his usual stature. There's blood-stained bandages on his arms, and more hidden beneath his clothes. In other words, he's in bad shape.

Not to mention shivering. It's cold and snowing, and he's not dressed for the weather. ]

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Sanae, they cut me open while I was awake.

... while you were awake.

[ He didn't know that part. He liked it better when he didn't know that part.

There's a pause, and then his tone is cautious, as there's a good chance this won't go over well: ]

I could take the memories.

[ The silence is him seriously considering it. If it weren't for the fact that it was causing a serious phobic reaction, he wouldn't even think twice about refusing. But he doesn't like it, doesn't like that it has him scared. That he can't help but showing it when triggered.

Finally he looks over his shoulder at Hanekoma. ]

No.

[ Hanekoma nods. Taking the memories would mean pulling them out of Joshua's head, would mean seeing more than he wants to. There's definitely a part of him that is content with not having to experience that.

Most of him isn't. ]

Alright.

[ He goes quiet for a moment, watching Joshua out of the corner of his eye. And then his gaze drops, and Hanekoma just sits and traces a finger along the dried blood on his sheets. ]

I could kiss it and make it all better.

[ Josh gives a soft exhale that's neither huff nor sigh. ]

A kiss wouldn't do that.

Time will help, at least. With the fear.

[ He barely dares to use that word, knowing Josh won't like it. ]

And healing will take care of the physical stuff.

[ That gets a flash of anger. It's one thing to know it's there. It's another to admit it out loud. ]

Fine. A kiss.

[ Hanekoma knows instantly that he went too far. He doesn't acknowledge it. ]

How about a shower and some soup?

Kiss.

[ Sigh. He said too much and now it's only fair that he pays for it. ]

Kiss you or kiss your cuts?

[ At least he didn't say 'boo-boos'. ]

[ Sharply ] Me.

[ He's not letting you back near his cuts for at least a little while. ]

Alright.

[ But Sanae pauses, and that sharpness brings a new edge of disappointment to his eyes, maybe apology. He'll try to put as much honesty as possible into his voice, here: ]

I won't do it again, Josh. It's not like I enjoy seeing you... hurt.

[ He means 'afraid,' not 'hurt,' and they both know it. ]

Just wanted to touch, see how far it'd healed. Should've warned you. Didn't, because I wanted you to stop touching me like that. But I should've warned you.

"Should have" is a pretty phrase, isn't it? [ But he's relaxing again, his voice slowly losing the edge. It's hard for him to stay too mad at Sanae for very long when he knows this whole thing wasn't entirely intentional. ]

Not one that's worth much. Still seems like I oughtta say it.

[ He move to the edge of the bed, lets his legs hang over the side. Definitely ready to be back on his feet, whether or not he has a reason to be. ]

Sure you'd rather have a kiss than soup and a shower?

[ ...of course, he's not entirely sure Josh is strong enough for a shower. ]

I suppose that depends on who I'm showering with. [ But something in the tone is slightly forced. ]

Alone. [ This is not up for debate. But Hanekoma will gladly fake a smile for the both of them, though not quite back to casual. ] Shower, bath, whichever. And I've got bouillabase.

[ Joshua seems to consider for a moment. ]

A kiss and the soup.

Deal.

[ And he moves forward a bit more slowly than is needed, catches Josh by the shoulder instead of the front of the shirt. ]

[ Smart decision. Joshua waits, a grin on his face, for Sanae to kiss him; he's not initiating this now that he has this chance. ]

[ And, just like at the ball, he'll lean in and barely touch their lips together before trying to draw away. There, you got your kiss. He now does not owe you anything but soup. ]

[ That gets a bit of a pout. ] Sanae, you're a horrible kisser.

[ Griiin. ]

I think I can live with that.

That was hardly even a kiss.

Hey, it counts. You want your soup or what?

Of course.

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[ action ] /cockblocks Joshua forever

[ action ] ... /food coloring