You're my world, my stars, my sky...

[sacred_flamer]

Characters: Luke and everyone~
Setting: Floor 25, and progressing from there.
Format: Either.
Summary: Luke ends up hearing a bit of an obsessive song while in the middle of training. This can only end badly.
Warnings: Luke being himself... and upped to eleven. Oops. Beware if your name happens to be Asch, Guy, or Yu.

[Luke was going through his routine as usual, wanting to get up as much strength as he could considering it was a Ruana month and who the hell knew what else would happen. As it was there were a bunch of people running around without collars... they might actually end up dead if there wasn't anyone around to protect them.]

[Luke was about to take a step that he knew would be out of place, and he struggled to correct himself... only to hit something hard. He flailed in surprise, falling over and landing on his ass.]

Oww...! What the hell?

[He reached back to rub his ass, looking around to see what he hit, only to see some small, red, heart-shaped fon tech sitting on the ground. He frowned at it, poking at the buttons until one of them was pressed down, letting out... something. He wasn't really sure what it was supposed to be, but it didn't sound like music. Luke fumbled, managing to turn it off with a cry of exasperation.]

Sheesh! Stupid...

[He grumbled under his breath, tossing the stupid thing away so he could get back to practice. Or at least... try to. He let out a sigh as he raised his sword, trying to focus with little luck. Funny, he really wanted to be around someone right now...]

Comments

[bloodyashes]

[Mutual avoidance Olympics, the gold medalists are them.]

Do you mind if I come along? I...

[Awkward. Why is he even saying this? There's no need for Luke to understand, as long as he's safe - ]

I didn't intend to hurt you.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke turned away, hugging his arms closer to himself.]

...well you did.

[bloodyashes]

I know. I'd have to be blind and dumb to miss it.

[It's not quite an apology, but it's close, especially when he hangs his head slightly and reaches out towards Luke's shoulder. After a bit of hesitation, he rests his hand there, some small comfort.]

Tactlessness is another thing you come by honestly, I suppose.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke hunched slightly, but gradually relaxed, glancing over his shoulder at Asch.]

...yeah, guess I have you to thank for that...

[bloodyashes]

[After a moment, he slides his hand from Luke's shoulder before stepping up next to him.]

We're really more alike than I ever would have thought. [Or than he likes to admit, most of the time. A bit of a dry chuckle.] I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since my fonons were extracted directly to create you.

[sacred_flamer]

Yeah, well... I guess the two of us are a pretty big mystery...

[He glanced over at Asch; wow, he was... close there... After a moment's hesitation, he leaned a little closer to him.]

[bloodyashes]

Only perfect isofons in the world -

[He cuts himself off when he notices Luke leaning closer. It's a moment's pause, and then a small step takes him close enough that his replica can lean on his shoulder.]

Not to mention the hyperresonance and everything else.

[The everything else being named Lorelei and generally being a pain in the head.]

[sacred_flamer]

Mm...

[Luke hesitated, starting to feel confused. He wanted to cling to Asch, to hold onto him and not let him go. But it was... Asch. Touching him was probably going to end badly. But he was already close enough that their hands were practically touching. Carefully, shyly, he shuffled a little closer to rest his head on his original's shoulder.]

[bloodyashes]

[It's a very subtle response, the way the tension seems to slide out of Asch at that small touch, but it's definitely there. After a moment, he tips his head towards Luke's in turn, not quite touching but enough to feel red hair on his cheek.]

And you probably still have questions, don't you.

[A question, that comment is not. Even if Guy told everything about himself, there's still a mountain there.]

[sacred_flamer]

Well, yeah...

[He snuggled closer, clinging to his arm now.]

...not sure if I want to know, though...

[bloodyashes]

Want to or not, there are things you should know.

[And slowly he just... tips his head until it's resting against Luke's as they stand there.]

Trust me, I wish I could just put the knowledge into your brain, but our connection doesn't work that way.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke was comfortable clinging to Asch like he was, shuffling a little closer.]

...it would if you stopped being a jerk.

[bloodyashes]

[There's a pause, where Asch shifts uncomfortably, before he stills, pressed a little closer against Luke.]

It wouldn't - I don't automatically know everything you know, so why would it work in the other direction?

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke made a face.]

How am I supposed to know? How are any of us supposed to know unless we try it?

[bloodyashes]

[After a moment, he sighs, pulling away slightly to run a hand through his hair.]

Why do you want this so badly? I'd think that getting closer to me is the last thing you'd want.

[Then again, they're standing here on the staircase practically snuggling. Hey, when'd that happen?]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke clung to him a little tighter.]

Why do you think? I don't want you to die... you shouldn't have to die because of me.

[bloodyashes]

[Clingy replica is clingy. But he can stay.]

Have you even put any thought into it beyond that?

[Preemptively he knows the answer is no. That's just not how Luke works.]

Don't do things for me simply to assuage your own guilt. I can't stand it.

[sacred_flamer]

It's not just because of guilt, geeze...

[He glanced away, making a face.]

I can't stand the thought of anyone dying, especially someone I know. I don't want anyone to die.

[bloodyashes]

...You're so soft.

[As is his hair, as Asch runs his fingers through the ends absently.]

If you live, someday you'll die. That's inescapable.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a faint noise at that, letting his eyes fall closed.]

Mm... I know that. But if it can be prevented, then I'm going to try to prevent it.

[bloodyashes]

[A hmph into Luke's hair.]

And you're so eager to get a look inside my head - can you accept the memories of all the death I've caused?

[Spoilers, it's a lot.]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke flinched at that, shrinking against him.]

...s'not much different from what I'll end up doing, is it?

[bloodyashes]

It's very different. You didn't intend to kill anyone; anyone who believes otherwise is a fool.

[The reaction right now is proof enough of that - Luke might kill people if he had to, but he didn't have the same intent.]

And ultimately, they were killed by the fall or the miasma, not your hand on a blade.

[sacred_flamer]

It's still my responsibility. I've... got to start doing that; being responsible. S'what being in this place has shown me.

[He paused.]

...it's not what I would do now, but would have done.

[bloodyashes]

Being responsible doesn't mean carrying everything.

[He leans in slightly, wrapping one arm around Luke's back.]

There's nothing to be gained from sitting around being guilty over it. It's the thing I couldn't stand about the you I left behind - don't you dare start doing it here, too.