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"She came to Inaba for a hiatus, and we reached out, knowing the pattern of the kidnappings." That's all there is to it, really. It's not as though he inherently attracts famous people.

"But this isn't about me. It's about you, and I genuinely believe you can withstand this and emerge stronger and with peace and clarity of mind."

"Unfortunately, the truth is that whatever happens, I'm going to emerge significantly closer to a stroke."

He leans to the side, just a little, resting against Raven. "Can we stop talking about this now? I feel like I understand better how it is to have parents."

"What? You think I'm qualified for parenting? I'm not even fourteen yet." But it's okay. He'll lean back. It's always nice, after all, to sit this close.

"But if you think I'm bad, remember that Crow and Ren are sure to pounce. I'm happy to give you time to think, but I hope you understand that this is just the prelude."

"I still have my apartment. Always have your exits covered, after all." He turns Raven's hand over in his own.

"But the bentos, Magpie. The bentos..." How does he know this? It's a mystery. Or perhaps Crow told him. "Besides, you seem perfectly comfortable right beside me."

Oh, for heaven's sake. He scowls for a moment—

—and then he grabs Raven hard by his shoulder, and buries his face in his hair. He doesn't let go.

Oh.

Well, okay then.

Raven settles into this sudden embrace of sorts before long, hugging back. "It's going to be all right. Whatever happens, you aren't alone."

He holds Raven tight. Almost as tight as Raven held him the time he awakened to Loki. And it feels like that, almost—long ago now, when he was fifteen, screaming devastation and vengeance in the top of Mementos, with six inches of red steel for his defence as red fire filled the tunnel....

His heart hammers in his chest, and he truly doesn't know if he fears being alone again or its opposite. But he doesn't let go.

Before returning home, Crow makes a stop for donuts. However, when they step into the house, he makes sure to put the donuts on top of the refrigerator. Sweets will wait until Magpie has earned them.

For now, he can eat the cheap ramen they brought home in to-go bowls. His Shadow holds the door for Ren, while Crow places the ramen down on the table and takes out his phone.

We're back. Are you ready?

He eyes the stairway, fingers rapping at the corner of the kitchen table. "At least Raven primed him for this. It should be easier from here, provided we don't come on too strong."

Edited 2024-07-11 21:58 (UTC)

Not much for Ren to do but follow Crow and Hiro's lead, putting away the soup and giving a longing glance to the donuts. "Yeah."

When Magpie emerges from his room, he is correct in every detail, from the line of his dress to the lines of his face. He rests a glance on the plastic bowls of ramen. "Is that for my execution?"

It's no worse than Shido's office. No worse than that. Surely.

"Raven warned you. As punishment for your crimes, you must endure the ramen from Junes." He pulls a chair out before grabbing a chair of his own. His Shadow hovers by the refrigerator, loosely folding his arms.

"You'll get the donuts after our discussion."

"Right, the discussion..." Crow takes out his phone, opening the screenshots he received from Drake. "Well, there's been a new development since we last spoke. We've seen the entire conversation."

Ren doesn't say anything. He doesn't ask Magpie what the hell made you think threatening him like that was a good idea?, because he already knows. It's nothing, because he wasn't thinking when he did it. It was everything about Crow suffering, because they'd both defend Crow to the ends of the Earth and then some.

He just looks on, impartial. Like a parent who's about to give you a "not mad, just disappointed" speech.

He doesn't pale, because he wouldn't. He doesn't succumb to the fear that breaks across him like ice water, because he won't. Instead, he just quirks an eyebrow, folding leather-clad hands on the table. "That must have made interesting reading for you."

I wish you could love yourself even half as much as I love you. He looks Crow right in the eye, and doesn't react.

"I don't know what you were thinking." There's no edge to the words. Not even any particular coldness to them. More than anything, he sounds tired. "I understand you were acting on my behalf. You wanted him to stop hurting me."

He lets that sink in, so Magpie knows that on some level, he does appreciate it.

"But you took it too far. You attacked and attacked. He asked a question, and your response was to tell him to go home and die. But it wasn't just that. Those comments about putting a bullet in his head, suggesting he'd be better off committing suicide..."

He takes a deep breath, in, then out.

"It was months ago. I don't hate you. Everything Raven said applies to me as well. But it's because of that that I need to know why you took that approach."

Edited 2024-07-11 22:26 (UTC)

Just for a second, his eyes flash. "Perhaps I should have dandled him on my knee, and asked about his feelings. But that approach would never work with me, and I saw no reason to think it would work with him.

"Regardless, I have no intention of justifying myself to you. I don't answer to you, Crow." You're not my father, whispers his own voice, very far back now.

"I know." Crow heaves a heavy sigh. There wasn't even any real fire in his voice, but it still sounds like one blew out. "But it's not about who answers to who. It's because I give a shit about both of you and want to understand where you were coming from."

Crow's Shadow glances up at the donut box. Is a peace offering worthwhile? Or is that too soon?

Crow continues, "And it's not about being overly soft or sentimental. I just think you could have chosen a better approach, but what's done is done. All we can do is move forward." He glances at Ren. "Is there anything you'd like to add before we focus on the present circumstances?"

Edited 2024-07-12 00:07 (UTC)

Joker continues to stare impartially. Like father, like son, he snorts in his head, then immediately feels bad.

With a shake of his head, Joker clears his mind. "No. Let's get to the point. The only way into Drake's Palace is through a wall we need you to open."

Edited 2024-07-12 00:41 (UTC)

"And this is the wall that involved my text message, as I understand it? How did that come about?" Though his tone barely shifts, he never looks away from Crow—probably for the best, as he doesn't catch the look in Joker's eyes. He's never seen his other-self look so defeated. The pit of his stomach wobbles.

"His Shadow appeared," Crow explains. "A few of us tried to reason to no avail. He..." Crow looks to his Shadow, who wilts a little.

"I tried to appeal to him from my personal experiences, but it backfired. Overall, Drake's Shadow saw us as interlopers who sought to change him and used your words as a barricade to keep us from venturing inside."

"And that's why we can't do this without you. As Raven said before, there are loose ends that must be addressed."

"He thinks using your words will lock us out permanently." No way his mortal enemy will show up to do something good for him, after all, goes unsaid. There's a faint air of challenge in Ren's voice, but that's all he has to add for now.

"Well, why would he ever think that?" It is as bright and airy as he knows how to be. "But there's more to this, isn't there? You don't just need me to show up. What's the trick to the barrier? Come to that, do you even have that guy's permission to speak to me?"

"We were asked to speak to you by Frog, as I mentioned before. Everyone knows your assistance is needed, and..." He reaches across the table, but doesn't touch. "I really do think Raven was onto something. Facing the truth of Drake's feelings, regardless of the pain, would be the most courageous thing you could do."

Ren snorts at Magpie's quip. Ok, that was actually kinda funny, even if Ren was just trying to lay it all out on the table. "Our only way in needs you. That's all we know." His voice softens, a bit. "I know you're strong enough. And we'll be there, too."

Okay, now he looks at Ren, sounding brittle. "I don't need my hand held."

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cw: suicide mention

cw: suicide mention

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