[ It's disorienting to see Satoru look so unsure, and it kind of hurts to see him doubt who he is. There's a loneliness that settles back into his chest; the kind that he couldn't stop feeling lately. It's just the two of them here, but that isn't enough to put things back where they're supposed to be.
What is he supposed to say, when he doesn't even fully understand what Satoru is grappling with? ]
Satoru.
[ His arms fall back to his sides from where he'd had them crossed over his chest, also wishing this stupid robe had pockets. ]
[ His eyes narrow when he's called, scanning Suguru for the nth time—he hasn't stopped scanning him over and over, truthfully. He heard that voice call his name all the time before, then not too long ago, now it plagues him. The question that follows has his lips press into a finer line, hiding gritted teeth.
How is a miserable question so grating? ]
I do.
[ It only takes a couple of strides before he's right in front of him, eyes still locked onto Suguru's. He grabs his wrist tightly, thumb pressed against his pulse as if rhythm alone can confirm his best friend's identity. The shape of him will have to be enough.
Grumbling, he looks off to the side... ]
We're the strongest, so it'll be extremely annoying for me if you bailed. Just don't, got it? Or I'll beat you up and tear through your research papers.
[ The threat has little heat, but the core of it all is sincere. ]
[ His pulse is the same as always under his skin, and even if it's a little weird, he just lets Satoru do what he needs. It's confusing enough for him to longer be able to sense cursed energy, so he can't imagine what it must be like for Satoru to be without the power that shaped his identity and how he moves in the world.
Not that Suguru needs cursed energy or the Six Eyes to know that he's still missing something. The explanation isn't enough to account for all of Satoru's agitation and anger, but he doesn't want to know—doesn't want to push it. He just wants it to be the two of them, on a mission the way it used to be before everything changed. Why should he be held accountable for something he has no memory of ever happening anyway?
(It does make him feel guilty though, a little. Like he's invalidating Satoru's feelings, and manipulating his best friend into acting like nothing has changed. Like Satoru isn't the strongest on his own now, and Suguru is left barely caring enough to catch up.)
He smiles, bumping their shoulders together. ]
I'll think about it. [ But anyway, ] None of that is going to matter if we don't figure out what's going on here though. We should look around.
[ He is just another guy and he'll have to wrestle with that another time.
Satoru keeps a staunch hold on Suguru's wrist and the reassurance only coaxes another squeeze out of his grip. His stiff shoulders slacken, demeanor coming to a cool, and his expression less grim. The edges of his lips don't quirk into a smile to match, even though they share the same desire. It's a crumb, but a crumb he'll settle for until he figures out how to equip himself to handle this delicately.
Back then, he didn't see them differently. They were still best friends when they went on missions together, when they didn't, and even in the crowd... With Suguru's back facing him. Now is the same, whether they're plagued with forgotten memories or weird magic in play.
In his heart, nothing has changed. ]
Your fake Buddha smile and the way you go about explaining stuff are annoying, too. [ With his free hand, he whacks Suguru's offending shoulder. ] Instead of thinking about stuff so much, you should say it how it is.
[ So many words, sometimes not enough words. Satoru would excuse Suguru being passive-aggressive, though. As long as it's funny. Slowly, he lets him go. ]
What did you want to look at? Is there anything worth looking at except for an exit?
[ His smile steadily takes on an irritated edge when Satoru continues on with his unsolicited criticism, ] Okay.
[ But he doesn't retaliate. Even if it would be easy to jab him in the ribs right now...
He takes the high road, and opts to focus. ]
Supplies. Even if we can just walk out of here, which we probably can't, we won't get far without food and water. [ Glances at the buildings. ] Let's check out what's available, and then we can see if there's a way out.
[ He knows... HE KNOWS Satoru is telling him not to overthink and spiral, and to talk to him, and ask for help, but also he doesn't want to ask for help because he's stupid.
It's easier to ignore it, just for now. ]
That's good. Lets look in the buildings and then check the perimeter.
[ throws dart it's their future home the mortuary.
Satoru follows and wipes his dirty hand on Suguru's back, even though that just makes his hand... Still dirty. Clicks his tongue over this not working. ]
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What is he supposed to say, when he doesn't even fully understand what Satoru is grappling with? ]
Satoru.
[ His arms fall back to his sides from where he'd had them crossed over his chest, also wishing this stupid robe had pockets. ]
Don't you know me?
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How is a miserable question so grating? ]
I do.
[ It only takes a couple of strides before he's right in front of him, eyes still locked onto Suguru's. He grabs his wrist tightly, thumb pressed against his pulse as if rhythm alone can confirm his best friend's identity. The shape of him will have to be enough.
Grumbling, he looks off to the side... ]
We're the strongest, so it'll be extremely annoying for me if you bailed. Just don't, got it? Or I'll beat you up and tear through your research papers.
[ The threat has little heat, but the core of it all is sincere. ]
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Not that Suguru needs cursed energy or the Six Eyes to know that he's still missing something. The explanation isn't enough to account for all of Satoru's agitation and anger, but he doesn't want to know—doesn't want to push it. He just wants it to be the two of them, on a mission the way it used to be before everything changed. Why should he be held accountable for something he has no memory of ever happening anyway?
(It does make him feel guilty though, a little. Like he's invalidating Satoru's feelings, and manipulating his best friend into acting like nothing has changed. Like Satoru isn't the strongest on his own now, and Suguru is left barely caring enough to catch up.)
He smiles, bumping their shoulders together. ]
I'll think about it. [ But anyway, ] None of that is going to matter if we don't figure out what's going on here though. We should look around.
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Satoru keeps a staunch hold on Suguru's wrist and the reassurance only coaxes another squeeze out of his grip. His stiff shoulders slacken, demeanor coming to a cool, and his expression less grim. The edges of his lips don't quirk into a smile to match, even though they share the same desire. It's a crumb, but a crumb he'll settle for until he figures out how to equip himself to handle this delicately.
Back then, he didn't see them differently. They were still best friends when they went on missions together, when they didn't, and even in the crowd... With Suguru's back facing him. Now is the same, whether they're plagued with forgotten memories or weird magic in play.
In his heart, nothing has changed. ]
Your fake Buddha smile and the way you go about explaining stuff are annoying, too. [ With his free hand, he whacks Suguru's offending shoulder. ] Instead of thinking about stuff so much, you should say it how it is.
[ So many words, sometimes not enough words. Satoru would excuse Suguru being passive-aggressive, though. As long as it's funny. Slowly, he lets him go. ]
What did you want to look at? Is there anything worth looking at except for an exit?
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[ But he doesn't retaliate. Even if it would be easy to jab him in the ribs right now...
He takes the high road, and opts to focus. ]
Supplies. Even if we can just walk out of here, which we probably can't, we won't get far without food and water. [ Glances at the buildings. ] Let's check out what's available, and then we can see if there's a way out.
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Anyway, he does deserve to be jabbed in the ribs. ]
I heard some running water somewhere, so at least that should be one water source if we're lucky.
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It's easier to ignore it, just for now. ]
That's good. Lets look in the buildings and then check the perimeter.
[ Off they go!! ]
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[ He points in the distance and just makes an assumption it's haunted. Often everywhere they go is haunted.
Going to skip ahead, though after a couple of skips he checks that Suguru is following him. ]
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He is following along, and tilts his head curiously when Satoru checks on him. ]
What is it?
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[ Smiles (shitty). ]
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2/2
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Hey!
[ FOLLOWS AFTER TO ALSO KICK HIM but in the ass. ]
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spins around so that he can kick him in the stomach they are just fighting now ]
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oh no, they are going to literally fight and not explore at all. ]
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We haven't explored a single area!!!
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And we're filthy.
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Think looking for somewhere to wash up is a waste of time?
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[ Except Satoru gets wet anyway later. Because this is immediately when they wake up, Suguru didn't get plagued by leeches from him. ]
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[ he gets up and walks over to the closest building ]
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Satoru follows and wipes his dirty hand on Suguru's back, even though that just makes his hand... Still dirty. Clicks his tongue over this not working. ]