heavenlydecree | (no subject)

[If there was one thing Takatora was sure he should have learned by now, it would be how to keep his life in perfect running order. He had been the head of Yggdrasill's Research and Development branch from the moment he'd left high school and even before that, his father had kept him on a tight and strict schedule, never a second unaccounted for or left out of place. Unfortunately, with all of Takatora's scheduling and trying to squeeze an extra hour into every day, he still felt as though he never had time for anything, let alone everything. Even his weekends left little time for himself, though Takatora was also painfully aware of his obsession with triple-checking everything under his command and bringing such weight onto himself. He couldn't allow for errors.

His morning routine started a bit later on the weekends, if only because Takatora knew he had to catch up on sleep at some point to make up for running himself ragged. Getting sick was something he couldn't risk. The usual morning routine went by quickly: dragging himself out of bed (he'd never become a morning person, as much as he wanted to), showering, getting dressed, checking for any news or alerts while he had been sleeping. Thankfully, nothing important had happened during the night. Takatora always lived with the fear of something awful happening while he was asleep that he would be unprepared for, but every morning brought the same temporary relief. For now.

Takatora headed out of his room after an hour or so, still checking his phone as he made his way down the hall and towards the stairs. Ryouma already wanted to talk to him about something, which was mildly surprising as Ryouma rarely (never) got out of bed so early, which meant he'd been up all night again. Stepping past one of the maids, Takatora spoke a return greeting to her as he continued on, paying more attention to typing out messages than his surroundings.]

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[... oh, no. Takatora can feel his protective older brother instincts kicking in. As soon as Mitsuzane is kneeling in front of him, Takatora's cool facade drops completely as he reaches out to nudge his brother's head up.]

Mitsuzane, I can't let you do that to yourself.

I want to. Please, Takatora. Let me help you...

[He looks up and tries to meat his brother's gaze, tries to remain strong. He doesn't want Takatora to be hurting. That's all he can think about right now.]

... what exactly do you intend to do, to help me?

... I don't know. I just...

[He's still somewhat at a loss with this. He stumbles to his feet and reaches out to put his hand on Takatora's shoulder.]

Takatora...

[At Mitsuzane's stumbling, Takatora reaches out to put his hands on the other's waist, careful to steady him.]

Does it make it easier for you, calling me that?

... I don't know.

[He leans in to press his forehead against his brother's.]

I love you, nii-san. I love you so much and I don't... want you to hurt anymore.

[He shifts and presses a gentle kiss to Takatora's lipsslowly and carefully.]

[... Takatora certainly hadn't expected that at all. The moment Mitsuzane leans in, Takatora immediately begins to move back, though a part of himself refuses to move much further than that. He doesn't try to return the kiss or allow himself to enjoy it, though he keeps his hands carefully on Mitsuzane's waist for the duration. After a few moments, he can't help but pull back, turning his head away.]

[He lowers his gaze. Maybe that was the wrong thing to do. He doesn't want to force Takatora, but he does want to help him. He puts a hand on Takatora's arm and tugs him forward a bit.]

Nii-san?

... do you forgive me, Mitsuzane?

[When he's tugged, Takatora looks back up, but doesn't move otherwise.]

Of course I do.

[He smiles gently at Takatora, trying to be encouraging.]

Is my happiness all you want from me?

Of course. I just want you to be safe and happy. For you to be able to smile and laugh. I'd do anything to keep you happy.

You're turning into me.

[He doesn't sound all that amused.]

Isn't that enough to teach you that sort of behavior never works?

Is it so wrong, though? To want to protect the people I care about? To have them happy and safe?

It's not, but you have to be aware that sometimes protecting others isn't what they want. ... and if you do it incorrectly, it has disasterous results.

[He motions between the two of them for emphasis.]

... But... I don't know what else to do. If I can protect people, why shouldn't I?

[Why wouldn't people want to be protected? Don't they know that it's best for them?]

[Takatora simply gives him a look.]

What happened when I tried to protect you, Mitsuzane?

... It didn't go so well. But...

[But what else can he do?]

I don't know how else to keep people safe.

I can take care of myself. Kazuraba Kouta... is also a capable fighter. It's honorable that you wish to protect your friends, but if they need your assistance, they know you're capable enough to ask.

... Yes, but... I don't want them to have to fight. If I can fight and they don't have to get hurt... why would I want to see the people I care about suffer?

Everyone wants to fight as much as you, to protect the ones they care about. You can't make them stop.

[No, but he can keep them in the dark. He sighs and moves his hand down to take Takatora's hand.]

I can do what I can to fight things so they don't have to see them.

[He tightens his grip a bit.]

I can try to keep them safe before they even have to know there's danger.

Mitsuzane... I don't want you to get hurt.

[He pulls his hand back, but continues to look up at him, one hand still on his brother's waist.]

I don't want to see you sacrifice yourself like this.

Then what's even the point of having power? You're the one who taught me that as people of privilege we have to help others. We can't just sit with what we have.

There's a difference between fighting properly while using your resources and fighting recklessly. If you continually sacrifice yourself, you'll only hurt the people you're trying to protect.

[Now he's the one grabbing Mitsuzane's arm, pulling him down.]

Help me, if you want. Fight alongside me. But I will not have you sacrificing yourself needlessly.

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