[The pressure along his spine is unexpected and foreign. He mistakes it for the weakest punch he's ever felt in his life - plans to retaliate once the last taste of acrid spit leaves his mouth.
But Maruki says his name - tired, pained and rasp. Not a single hint of disdain or anger. The contact between his shoulders no longer feels malicious. The splitting headache dulls with the up, down, up, down, up, down, up, despite his muscles tensing with the movement.
He says they're done. Says Akechi's alright. They are done. He is alright.
Body stilled. Repetitive motion. Questions on his lips and-
It doesn't matter if he asks 'What are you doing?'
He already knows. Maruki's doing what he always does - stays there. Is there. Present.
If he asks 'What are you doing?'
Because Maruki doesn't flinch when Akechi spits vile and venom, fist and rock.
If he asks 'What are you doing?
Because he's foolish. Stupid. All resolve and will.
Loyal, to a fault.
Akechi inhales - slow and quiet. Stomach lurching with nothing inside. It's safe to push himself back to his knees - to take in the broken face next to him. His will unshattered. Unshaken.
They're done.]
They awoke at the same time.
[Voice raw and scratchy. Soft, but not by choice. He doesn't know why he's talking - the same bizarre compulsion he felt at the bathhouse, at the convenience store, on a grassy hillside.]
It felt like this.
[Miserable. Wretched. Fatigue peeling back every layer of skin, exposing nerve to air - every single movement an exhausting effort that drains what little is left inside a person. Maruki may never experience a traditional awakening, but that direct blast of divine energy comes close. It feels like vindication.
He presses a hand against Maruki's shoulder - gentle, at first. Inhale. Exhale. Loki's thrall long gone and nestled back between the barbs in his chest.
Then there's pressure forced down onto the barely mobile man, as Akechi pushes himself up to his feet. No glass in that palm. He tries to loosen small shards with a shake of his other hand and-
He
stands.
And he
Reaches out with the same stone wielding hand that sentenced Maruki to death seconds ago. Stained. Nails torn and chipped.]
DIRE DIRE DIRE OHHH EVIL CAITLIN
But Maruki says his name - tired, pained and rasp. Not a single hint of disdain or anger. The contact between his shoulders no longer feels malicious. The splitting headache dulls with the up, down, up, down, up, down, up, despite his muscles tensing with the movement.
He says they're done. Says Akechi's alright. They are done. He is alright.
Body stilled. Repetitive motion. Questions on his lips and-
It doesn't matter if he asks 'What are you doing?'
He already knows. Maruki's doing what he always does - stays there. Is there. Present.
If he asks 'What are you doing?'Because Maruki doesn't flinch when Akechi spits vile and venom, fist and rock.
If he asks 'What are you doing?Because he's foolish. Stupid. All resolve and will.
Loyal, to a fault.Akechi inhales - slow and quiet. Stomach lurching with nothing inside. It's safe to push himself back to his knees - to take in the broken face next to him. His will unshattered. Unshaken.
They're done.]
They awoke at the same time.
[Voice raw and scratchy. Soft, but not by choice. He doesn't know why he's talking - the same bizarre compulsion he felt at the bathhouse, at the convenience store, on a grassy hillside.]
It felt like this.
[Miserable. Wretched. Fatigue peeling back every layer of skin, exposing nerve to air - every single movement an exhausting effort that drains what little is left inside a person. Maruki may never experience a traditional awakening, but that direct blast of divine energy comes close. It feels like vindication.
He presses a hand against Maruki's shoulder - gentle, at first. Inhale. Exhale. Loki's thrall long gone and nestled back between the barbs in his chest.
Then there's pressure forced down onto the barely mobile man, as Akechi pushes himself up to his feet. No glass in that palm. He tries to loosen small shards with a shake of his other hand and-
He
stands.
And heReaches out with the same stone wielding hand that sentenced Maruki to death seconds ago. Stained. Nails torn and chipped.]
Get up.