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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He'd promised to spend the weekend with Takatora, but not with Ryouma. Upon learning that he was in the house, Micchy left early, with a note on the fridge for Takatora telling him to let him know if he wanted to do anything.]

[He was early, early enough that no one else had shown up, and he just sat against the outside wall of the garage. His eyes were a little red and puffy. He hadn't been crying, but he'd felt like he was going to. He was just so frustrated and he didn't know what to do.]

[Kouta didn't show up especially early, but he didn't show up late either. He was still there before the others, intent on unlocking it before everyone else would get there. Unfortunately, the positive mood he was in dropped the moment he saw Micchy, slowing in his steps before he got close to the other.]

Oi... Micchy?

Kouta. Do you have your belt with you?

[He digs through his bag and pulls out a thick, fluffy towel.]

Wrap it and your Lockseeds in this.

[It's not the perfect solution for a sound-muffling device, but shoving it in layers of things will only make it difficult to access quickly.]

[Kouta gives Micchy a mildly confused look. In a moment, he's kneeled on the ground, removing the objects from his bag and wrapping them up before putting them away again. In the meantime, he doesn't say anything, waiting until they're put away.]

... what's up?

Sorry. They have recording devices in them. It was what I could think of to keep it as muffled as possible.

[He runs a hand through his hair and sighs.]

I tried to explain things to my brother. About how I just want him to be happy. He seems intent on never allowing himself to be happy, never looking selfish... making him look like the self-sacrificing type.

[And making him look selfish and childish by comparison.]

'You just want his affection for your own ends and your own happiness.' He ignores the quiet voice in the back of his mind. It's not true.]

Did you figure out how you feel?

[Kouta shifts from kneeling to sit down next to Micchy, extending an arm to wrap around the other's shoulders. The look on his face is clear with concern.]

[He leans in against Kouta, shaking his head.]

No. Well.. yes, but no. I tried to... I mean.... I kissed him, but it didn't... I want him to be happy, so I don't mind. But it didn't feel the same.

But I just want to make him happy.

['Because then it'll prove you're capable of making people you care about happy?']

You kissed him?

[Kouta can't help but be mildly surprised at that.]

... so you don't think you love him? Like he loves you, I mean.

... I don't know. I don't understand what I'm feeling.

[Kouta makes a frustrated noise at that, giving Micchy's shoulder a squeeze.]

Is there anything I can do?

... I'm not sure. I'm just tired of people I care about getting hurt. Why won't they let me help them?

[There's a pretty guilty look on Kouta's face at hearing that.]

... we don't want you to get hurt, either.

... I was brought up with the idea that it was my duty, as someone near the top, to help people. Especially people who are less fortunate than me. How I feel about it doesn't matter.

That's how you were raised, but ... I was raised to always protect what I have, to fight as hard as I can to defend it, so I don't lose anything. Or anyone, regardless of who they are.

... I don't want to lose you. Or Mai. Or anyone on the team. Or my brother. So I'll protect you. I'm just... not that worried about me.

[Kouta sighs at that, leaning over to close the distance between them and presses a kiss to Micchy's lips. Despite being in public, he's pretty sure no one can see them.]

I can take care of myself, you know.

[He blushes faintly and reaches up to tangle his fingers in Kouta's hair.]

Mm. I know. But that doesn't mean I don't want to protect you.

[Kouta's actually smiling now, nudging Micchy's nose with his own.]

I want to protect you, too.

Mm.

[He just leans against Kouta, closing his eyes.]

I wish we didn't have to fight.

I know.

[Kouta nuzzles in against him, giving him another kiss.]

But everything will work out. We can stop it.

[He tenses up a little and lets out a sigh.]

... We will.

[Kouta pulls back, rubbing at Micchy's shoulder as he keeps a close watch on him.]

Why do you think your brother is so hard on himself?

... It's probably something that he got from Father. Our parents are the kind who work too hard. I don't... I haven't had a lot of contact with them in recent years.

... hm.

[With another sigh, Kouta tilts his head against Micchy's, trying to think of any way to help.]

Do you want any help figuring out what to do?

If you have any ideas...