[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]

"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."

[pancakeboy]

The tension drains out of his face, leaving uncertainty behind, as he feels the words hit him all over again. He doesn't back away from Raven.

"That's what Crow said." And his younger self had heard it as a threat, and Magpie is still no different.

[fogboundcrow]

"And we both mean it. Surely you know that by now." Look at him, Magpie. Look at that sparkle in his eyes.

[pancakeboy]

[It's a powerful sparkle. Magpie's hands have twisted around his phone, which is between them like a shield.]

You're both menaces, is what you are. When, if anyone around here is a menace, it should be me.

[Was that a joke?]

[fogboundcrow]

Perhaps you need to find a way to reclaim your menacing crown. Some great tomfoolery that Crow will never see coming...

[Oh, Raven is leaning into the joke. C'mon, Magpie. Shenanignas...]

[pancakeboy]

Or something you'll never see coming. Perhaps you should be watching your own back?

[It would take someone like this, wouldn't it, to grow into Crow. But Magpie's not sure it even bothers him.]

[fogboundcrow]

I think I can take it.

[But is that a smile? Oho. That's a promising sign! Raven's own smile grows as a result.]

[pancakeboy]

[Magpie's grows in reply, just a bit. There are worse things than this. Maybe if he keeps control, it won't be so bad.]

Well, then, I'll have to see what I can do. [And rather than hug Raven, he offers his hand.]

[fogboundcrow]

[The offered hand is more than sufficient. Raven eagerly takes it, practically glowing.]

...I really did miss you.

[But he knows Magpie isn't the most sentimental sort, so he'll leave it at that.]

C'mon. We'll surprise the others by treating them for a change.

[And after that, who knows? There's a lot to unpack and untangle, but at least they have each other.]