[ic] it starts with an earthquake

[pancakeboy]

[[ooc: backdated to the 27th.]]

It's dawn when Akechi wakes.

Grey light is filtering through the curtains and nothing stirs. Everything seems... fine? He can't remember the last time he slept this well, in fact. His arm is around someone, and his other arm's folded beneath the pillow, and—

Wait, what the fuck?! Back up!

The fact of himself hits him all at once, and he freezes in horror. Raven is in front of him—still asleep? Akechi prays he's asleep—and with a bit of luck, he won't wake for a good while longer. Long enough to sneak away to freedom, perhaps.

The last two months tangle in his head all at once. And he starts to work untangling them, of course, because that's just who he is. His hand tightens, half-perceptibly, in Raven's pyjama top.

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

"You're doing it again." But again, no ire. No anger. There's a hint of exasperation, but nothing more. "I don't need to be under Call of Chaos to point it out this time. Sometimes... I suppose it's important to point out when the people you care about are being ridiculous." But even 'ridiculous' carries a slightly teasing edge. "If you're uneasy, I understand. But it's just us. You don't have anything to prove."

[pancakeboy]

Carefully, he turns Raven's hand over in his own. Not even callouses on his fingers, after all he's done; he owes the Metaverse for that.

"Jumping in front of that Eigaon really was the most ridiculous thing I've seen, you know. Maybe the second most ridiculous. But—I'd be lying if I said it meant nothing to me."

How about that, Raven? Any better? He glances to check.

[fogboundcrow]

Hey, look. A little smile. That's a good sign. "Good. I know it can seem like people only act kind for their own benefit. To be honest, I'm still surprised Morgana was able to talk me into accepting my Shadow when he did. And it's not as though I have no doubts. I left a lot unresolved with the people back home..."

Yu and the others chief among them.

"Hm. But I think I've known you longer now. Funny how that happens."

[pancakeboy]

"Mm." The sun's far higher than it was, above the window now; someone is moving downstairs. "...listen to that. Time to face the music, isn't it?

"Do you know I thought I'd found somewhere, once?" He is making no moves to start the day.

[fogboundcrow]

"...Mm. But it didn't work out, right? You were sent away again, I imagine." There's a lot he'd heard from Magpie's younger self, but there's probably more to say. "We won't do that to you. I know this won't last forever, but—" Hey. Hey, wait. "Would you mind passing me my phone? You can keep talking, though. I'll listen."

[pancakeboy]

Yeah, he has that one figured out. But he grabs it, letting Raven go, and passes it across. "Send him my love, won't you?"

[fogboundcrow]

Give him a second as he opens his messages and—

"Oh!" He hastily opens the message. Shows it to Magpie. "It got through. That means..." Give him a second. His hands are shaking a little as the realization sets in. "We can still keep in touch. Even when we leave, it won't have to be goodbye..."

[pancakeboy]

That... He reaches to take the phone, if he can, still staring at the message.

[fogboundcrow]

Raven lets him look, still a bit shaken himself, but despite his watery eyes, a little smile's taking form. "Igor-san didn't lie, then. He won't have to be alone anymore. And you won't either."

[pancakeboy]

There are any number of brushoffs he could give to that stupidly sentimental statement, and he utters not a one.

Instead, he swallows, staring at the screen as he hands the phone back, and observes, "The number's changed. I suppose he's been rescued from his dreadful fate."

[fogboundcrow]

Raven texts back, but as he does, he continues speaking. "But that's proof that you can do the same. I know you likely still have reservations, but I have faith in you. I'm sure Crow does, too."

[pancakeboy]

Akechi watches him text, looking sadder than he realises. Raven really thinks he has a future, that even if Ren Amamiya somehow lives, Akechi's path still isn't set in stone. And all that shit future-Ren came out with, in his detention uniform... he hasn't forgotten him talking to Crow.

All of them so convinced he should have a happy ending. How is it that the mass-murderer is the only one here with a moral compass? "We do all have a way of getting what we want, don't we?"

He touches Raven's shoulder, though, and shit, for a moment he actually wants to believe. Wants to think he can break all his chains and just settle for the little gold ones Raven has on his ankles and wrists, that are so pretty and pleasant to wear. "I'm glad you can still talk to him. I'm glad he'll have someone. And hey, that really does change everything, doesn't it? Assuming that it holds for all of us, and not just him."

[fogboundcrow]

"You'll have us, too." And that's really important to reaffirm. Raven looks up at him, a fiery determination in his eyes. "Regardless of your transgressions, I genuinely believe it's better for you to face the future than to throw it away. Better to use the knowledge you've gained to prevent future tragedies... but it's up to you to shape your future. We'll just be here if you ever need to get outside your own head."

He pauses.

"And that's then. This is now. I'm here. You're here. You're safe."

[pancakeboy]

His hand tightens on Raven's shoulder.

"Do you know you're the most annoying thirteen-year-old I've ever met?" Almost as annoying as Oracle was becoming—which makes more sense now. And that's a whole other nest of shit he'll have to face now, isn't it? "Please try to keep in mind that I'm the oniisan here now."

Because... long before Magpie's change, Raven was his responsibility. A responsibility he had the luxury of keeping to, come hell or high water. There was nothing, he was fairly sure, that could get in his way.

He's a lot more sure now than he was.

[fogboundcrow]

Pffft. Raven just rolls his eyes. "But you still put up with me." Ergo, he can't be that annoying. "But it's true. You're still older and more experienced than me. And... well, I've always thought of you that way."

As an oniisan. So... yeah. Him saying the quiet part out loud is nice.

[pancakeboy]

Magpie doesn't say anything. Instead, he sighs, tense inside, and lets himself lean against Raven so the tension tries to ease. The moment feels elegiac and strange.

[fogboundcrow]

The leaning is okay. Raven welcomes it and leans back. It's nice. Comforting, even. Hopefully Magpie feels similarly.

"If there's anything you want to do today, you should do it." As a treat.

[pancakeboy]

"I don't know about that. Maybe I can use it as a trial run for when I return." When he inevitably has to become the person he was that day, who couldn't get Ren Amamiya out of his head. His face turns in towards the top of Raven's head, just a bit.

"What about you? Back to being the only kid in the village, aren't you?" Hawk and Akira-kun are one thing, of course, but they aren't Raven's age.

[fogboundcrow]

"The only tween, perhaps, but I'll manage. I still have you, and Hawk and Akira-kun are still important to me." Hmmm... He checks his phone. "By the way, your younger self wants to know what he should do to his uncle's breakfast."

cw abuse

[pancakeboy]

They're close enough that Raven will feel Magpie freeze at the question. Nothing, that guy will beat the shit out of him. He doesn't say it, though; glancing back, he doesn't think Hawk is awake, but dreams still exist.

"Not many ways you can ruin tea and toast. Tell him to get it over with and get outside. It's still practically summer for him, after all."

[fogboundcrow]

"I'll let him know. Is there anything else you believe would help him?" Either way, he'll start drafting a reply. "Oh, and... do you want to have breakfast after this? I know Crow would usually cook for us, but the others are still asleep. I don't want to disturb them."

[pancakeboy]

He folds his hands in his lap, watching Raven text. Imagine trying to drag Crow out of bed, after the Christmas he had. "Why not? Maybe if we all make breakfast at once we can collapse our timelines, or something like that."

How do you even sum up a situation like that fucking shop? "The rest of it... after what he learned, he should have it well in hand. He'll be able to make his own escape, if he deserves it."

Magpie had had to wait for things to get bad enough that someone else would make room for him. But his younger self has the chance to imagine something else.

[fogboundcrow]

"We could always go out for it, too. Surprise the others with something lavish." He sends the text, then sets his phone down. "...Crow said no pancakes, though. But that's all right. There are plenty of other options."

[pancakeboy]

Nngh. He gives Raven a grumpy look as he gets up, wondering how much he even knows.

"Right. Put a pancake in front of me again and you'll be wearing it." No offence, kid.

[fogboundcrow]

"...I won't ask. Seems rather personal." But he is getting up alongside Magpie. Hovering rather close, too. "But if you've any preferences, then you can choose. I hereby deem you the guest of honor."