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]

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.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke tensed a bit at Asch wrapping an arm around him, but he relaxed quickly enough.]

I'm not, I just... what else am I supposed to do knowing what I know now?

[bloodyashes]

That isn't obvious? You keep learning.

[That tension - really, he's not going to hurt you, Luke. Clearly they need a beanbag to go cuddle on or something.]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke peered up at him curiously.]

What do you mean?

[bloodyashes]

You've had one big screw-up - [Soft of.] - learn how to avoid it happening again.

[Truth be told, that's the easy lesson. He doesn't want to say to Luke, "learn how to deal with being betrayed" or "learn to not be so trusting," but...]

Learn to judge people's intentions more accurately. Learn to make decisions for yourself instead of relying on others to point you in the right direction. You're starting, but you're not done yet.

[sacred_flamer]

[...it was weird, hearing Asch acknowledge the fact that he was actually trying to improve himself. A warm, fuzzy feeling fluttered in his stomach, and he ducked his head down to try and hide the fact that he was going to start blushing any second.]

...y-yeah, I know... I-I have a lot to learn.

[bloodyashes]

[And... gentle squeeze with that arm around your shoulders, Luke.]

Knowing that is a good starting point.

[sacred_flamer]

Thanks...

[Luke's voice was soft as he buried his head against Asch's chest.]

...it's hard, to just not be satisfied with the fact I know that and not act on it. It's so much easier just to settle for simple stuff... to keep my eyes open and see what I'm supposed to see.

[bloodyashes]

[He's silent for a while, instead wrapping his other arm around Luke and pulling the replica tight to his chest. It's really not so bad; this close, it almost feels like some of those old holes in himself are being filled up, just by having what was taken from him near.]

...No one expects you to be perfect. Just do the best you can.

[sacred_flamer]

...mm.

[He hesitated a moment, before burying his head against Asch's chest. Hunh... this really wasn't so bad. Uncomfortable, since they were the same height and he had to stoop for his position, but it really wasn't that bad.]

[bloodyashes]

[That's why we have shoulders, idiot. Asch demonstrates by ducking down and putting his face against Luke's neck, not caring about the face full of hair it gets him. It cushions a bit from the hard metal of the collar, anyway.]