a winter labyrinth

[townmusician]

断ち切るしかないんだろ
注いだ冬は心のラビリンス
後戻りなんて出来ないから
やりきるしかないんだろ
黒い気持ちと手を繋いだって構わない
抱きしめたっていいh

I have to break free
This pouring winter is my heart's labyrinth
I can't go back anymore, so
I have to finish this
I don't care if you took my hand with dark motives
I want you to hold me close

Comments

[prozaic]

[Aww, buddy.

Shalem gathers him up in his arms.]

What is this, a competition? Come now, Haruka. [There there, pats on his back.] You can tell me this any time.

[townmusician]

[Huffs...!!]

It is now.

[Because he says so!! But he sniffles, just letting himself be embraced for a moment.]

...I [aaaaaaAAAA] love you too, idiot.

[prozaic]

[Shalem is not even going to hide how much that affects him. His pulse picks up, and he smiles widely. He tries to lie down on the floor with Haruka, almost feeling boneless.]

I hope, in the event you can say it again, you'll attach my preferred name to it. The name I introduced myself as during my performance.

[townmusician]

[...Heh.]

Okay, Abyss. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

[He'll let himself get dragged down, even if the walls of the palace creak a bit. They won't be able to stand for much longer...]

I won't say it now, because then you might start thinking you can bully me into anything.

[He's teasing, though.

And they both know he really could bully Haruka into anything, so there's no reason to try saving space.]

[prozaic]

[Shalem's smile is tempered somewhat when he hears that, as he idly draws his thumb over Haruka's lower lip. Lying down like this, he's starting to feel tired, especially with everything he's sustained in the fight.]

I wouldn't presume I can bully you into anything. [Because they really both know it's easy for him.]

[townmusician]

[Haruka's eyes slide closed, and he just... enjoys the moment. He's tired and in pain, but...

He casts a quick Diarahan on Shalem, because the old man is definitely worse off than he is.]

Mhmm, and you'd never even think to try bullying me.

[...]

I really do like you a lot, you know. As myself, and as you are. If you're just stringing me along I'll kick your ass, because I want to see you after this. This whole divine conflict thing, I mean.

[prozaic]

[Shalem's smile widens again, even if Haruka can't see it. But he can certainly tuck Haruka more securely against himself. He's warm-- it must be the fire element in both of them.]

I'll endeavour not to die before that happens. As a matter of fact... I shall do my best to preserve my life for as long as possible, so you can have the most out of it. You'll not be getting rid of me so easily.

[Hint hint for what he's planning.]

[townmusician]

[Can't believe he's stuck with a snake guy for the rest of his life...

Though what he says has him wondering, and he presses his lips together... but thinking about cures will take a backseat to the rest of what he's said.]

...You want to come back with me? To Japan?

[prozaic]

Yes. [They did talk about their potential lives after this once before... but that was well before this place, and before Haruka showed that he was, in fact, Shalem's type.]

I could have returned to Terra and handed in my resignation to become a wanderer, but this is much better, don't you think?

Of course, my grasp of your language is flimsy, but I can learn.