Endgame: Gathered on This Beach of the Tumid River

[animusmods]

Characters: open
Setting: all around the Tower from the 25th of May to the 1st of June
Format: any
Summary: A general mingle for all characters throughout the Tower.
Warnings: Standard Animus warnings; please note anything specific in the subject headers of your threads

[The Tower is stagnant, the only signs of activity confined to the second block. There isn't much time left; it might be a good idea to rest and do whatever strikes your fancy before the timer hits zero.]

Comments

[notsogrimreaper]

“I don’t think I’ve fought that hard… but I guess it would be okay to take a risk. I just don’t know what to do when there are risks on every side. I… really want Minato to be okay, and I don’t want to hurt Yukiko by accidentally releasing Nyx back into that world..”

He sighs and bites his lip.

“I mean, what if by leaving… I harmed the Seal, instead of allowing Minato to break free? Maybe Erebus will find me after I return, and Minato’s sacrifice will have been pointless. But maybe not… I guess I just don’t like not knowing, but I have to deal with that.”

[oathshackledbird]

"No one likes not knowing, but there is just no way to know everything. Personally--and I know this is hard--I think it is better to hope for the best than to worry about the worst especially when you can't control what happens. Often, expecting the worst only encourages it to happen. Why would you want to do that when you can put your energy into hoping for the best and encouraging it to happen instead?"

Diarmuid reaches out and taps Ryoji gently on the nose, "And don't tell me you haven't fought hard. Maybe your fight hasn't always been physical, but I know mentally you have made a lot of progress. Don't tell me or yourself otherwise. It's not true and I will be very upset with you if you don't give yourself the credit you deserve for all your hard work."

[notsogrimreaper]

“I guess that is true. I have to keep staying hopeful… that’s the only way I made it this far anyways.”

He wrinkles his nose at Diarmuid’s tap, and then chuckes sheepishly.

“I guess I won’t tell you… I know I have made progress, and I’m thankful that you’ve been here to help me through all of this. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without having people like you to keep me going.”

[oathshackledbird]

"I am just glad I was able to be here for you. Meeting you is something I will never forget. I am so honored to have you as a son," Diarmuid can't help it and leans forward to hug Ryoji again. "I want all the best for you. Fate had us meet for a reason and you have helped me through just as much as I have helped you."

"Thank you. For everything."

[notsogrimreaper]

Ryoji returns the hug tightly.

“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I could never forget about you… everything you taught me and did for me. I couldn’t have picked a better father… and I’ll really, really miss you.”

He grins.

“If I get down on myself again, I’ll just have to imagine you swatting me in the back of the head.”

[oathshackledbird]

"Or hugging you and ruffling your hair. You know, whatever works best," Diarmuid pause a moment and then presses a kiss to the top of Ryoji's head. "I just want you to be happy. That is what I wish for you most of all. And...maybe a grandchild or two, but that is farther in the future."

He laughs and ruffles Ryoji's hair, before sitting back and smiling at the boy, "You and Yukiko will do well. I know you will, so forget about this stupid letter," Diarmuid picks up the letter Ryoji got and folds it up, before sliding it under the edge of the boy's bed. "You have more important things to spend your time on right now."

[notsogrimreaper]

“I feel like I may need a swat once in a while to get in the right direction… but thank you.”

He would have stayed in place for that kiss if Diarmuid hadn’t said something that makes him pull away, blushing.

“Grandkids? I-I… um… w-well, I don’t know what Yukiko wants, but um…”

He honestly would like to be a father at some point… and well, he and Yukiko have… he can’t even discuss it.

“Well, we’ll see what happens. No matter what, I think we’ll be together.”

[oathshackledbird]

Fortunately, Diarmuid recognizes the specific type of embarrassment that Ryoji is feeling and doesn't press him any farther. He's had his bit of fun, though, since he didn't get to actually finish the kiss, Ryoji gets another hair ruffle instead.

"I know the two of you will make the right choices for you when the time comes. Whatever you do, just be happy with your lives. You have earned every bit of the time you have together. Make the most of if, so that whenever it ends you can say you it was worth all we have been through."

He doesn't want to say, 'live without regrets,' because now he knows that isn't always possible.

[notsogrimreaper]

Ryoji is glad he doesn’t get pushes any farther, and instead just laughs at the hair ruffle and leans forward to hug Diarmuid once more.

“I think we’ll make the right choices too. Thank you for understanding, Father.”

He smiles softly.

“I hope you and Waver make the most of your time together too. The two of you deserve to be happy.”

[oathshackledbird]

"We are going to do our best. I can't very well tell you to do that, if I am not going to do the same," Diarmuid gives Ryoji one more tight hug and then sits back. "Why don't we get out of here, hmm? Sitting here alone will do you no good. You should be with your friends and family, so we can all fight together whenever things start happening again."

He stands up and holds his hand out to his son, "What do you say?"

[notsogrimreaper]

Ryoji doesn’t take much time to consider before he takes Diarmuid’s hand, forcing a soft smile and nodding.

“Yeah… let’s go. I want to see everyone again.”